The Georgia Voice - 10/26/12 Vol.3, Issue 17

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

PO Box 77401 Atlanta, GA 30357 404-815-6941 | www.thegavoice.com

EDITORIAL

Editor: Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com

Photo via Facebook

The Georgia Voice

OUTSPOKEN IN THEIR OWN WORDS

NEWS Election 2012: Stark contrast in presidential race. Page 4 Election 2012: National LGBT races to watch. Page 6

Deputy Editor: Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com

Publisher: Christina Cash ccash@thegavoice.com Associate Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com Sales Executive: Marshall Graham mgraham@thegavoice.com National Advertising: Rivendell Media, 908-232-2021 sales@rivendellmedia.com

BOARD OF ADVISERS

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

Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by the Georgia Voice, but we do not take responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit any submission.

Guidelines for freelance contributors are available upon request.

A single copy of the Georgia Voice is available from authorized distribution points. Multiple copies are available from the Georgia Voice office only. Call for rates. If you are unable to reach a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 26-issue mailed subscription for $60 per year. Checks or credit card orders can be sent to Tim Boyd, tboyd@thegavoice.com Postmaster: Send address changes to the Georgia Voice, 1904 Monroe Drive, Suite 130, Atlanta, GA 30324. The Georgia Voice is published every other Friday by The Georgia Voice, LLC. Individual subscriptions are $60 per year for 26 issues. Postage paid at Atlanta, GA, and additional mailing offices.

The editorial positions of the 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 the Georgia Voice and its staff.

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

COMMUNITY

— TLC reality star Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson in a statement publicized by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation on Oct. 19, Spirit Day, when people were encouraged to wear purple to oppose anti-LGBT bullying. Alana’s gay Uncle Poodle, aka Lee Thompson, gave an in-depth interview to GA Voice in our Oct. 12 issue.

(GLAAD.org, Oct. 19) Screenshot via Glaad.org

BUSINESS

Lost-N-Found Youth marks one year of helping LGBT homeless. Page 13

“Being gay in the South, people don’t like it. Why? You have homophobes who want to beat you and bully you and name-call you … I am wearing purple today to let every youngster and teen know that is OK to be who you are. Don’t let nobody change that.”

Organizers deem Atlanta Pride ‘largest ever.’ Page 13 Atlanta Pride in pictures. Pages 16-17

A&E Melissa Etheridge gets back to her roots. Page 19

Photo by Mario Casiano/CC 3.0

Contributors: Melissa Carter, Brent Corcoran, Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames, Topher Payne, Matt Schafer, Steve Warren, Ryan Lee

Recent local ‘hate crimes’ show danger of incomplete information. Page 11

“You can’t change the way you are or who you fell in love with … We support Uncle Poodle and all the other poodles in the world too.”

— Lee Thompson, “Uncle Poodle,” in a video for Spirit Day recounting how he had been bullied “day in and day out” in school for being gay, but remains grateful for the support of his family. (GLAAD.org, Oct. 19)

“People always talk about the double entendres. There was not one double entendre in the music.”

Books: Christian author plays gay for a year. Page 21 Theater: ‘The Divine Sister’ bows at Process Theatre. Page 23 Food Porn: Husband-hunting in Atlanta’s restaurant scene. Page 24

— David “Scar” Hodo, the construction worker in the ‘70s band The Village People, in an interview with other band members claiming songs like “YMCA” and “In the Navy” had no gay meaning. (The Sun, Oct. 22)

“I knew that I was a gay boy fairly early; what was interesting to me was that my mother didn’t know. …

I said, ‘Mom, I don’t like direct sunlight, I don’t like bugs, I don’t like grass, and I’d rather be in the house playing with your fabric samples.’”

— Interior design television host Nate Berkus, promoting “The Things that Matter,” his semiautobiographical book, in an interview with Joy Behar. (HuffingtonPost.com, Oct. 21)

CALENDAR Pages 26-28

COLUMNISTS Publicity photo via DanCathy.com

Art Director: Bo Shell bshell@thegavoice.com

Election 2012: Local races with gay candidates, allies. Page 8

Publicity photo

Web Manager: Ryan Watkins rwatkins@thegavoice.com

10.26.12

That’s What She Said: Melissa Carter’s costume correctness. Page 30 Domestically Disturbed: Topher Payne gives a cluck about Chick-fil-A. Page 31 facebook.com/thegavoice twitter.com/thegavoice

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GA Voice

October 26, 2012

News

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Presidential race: ‘It’s our equality, stupid’ Obama vs. Romney offers stark contrast on LGBT issues

MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Obama: Personally supports marriage equality.

Instructed the Justice Department to stop defending court challenges to the federal law that denies recognition to gay marriages.

Analysis and endorsement

By Laura Douglas-Brown, GA Voice Editor “It’s the economy, stupid.”

Campaign strategist James Carville’s tagline for Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential race has been a political catchphrase ever since.

“It’s about the empathy, stupid.”

That’s the headline Slate.com writer Dalia Lithwick used to sum up the importance of President Barack Obama’s May 2012 announcement that he had come to personally support same-sex marriage.

“It’s our equality, stupid.”

Given all that Obama has accomplished on LGBT rights in his first term, that may be the best way to explain why LGBT voters need to turn out to vote for Obama on Nov. 6 — even in red states like Georgia that are likely to go for Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

“President Obama has improved the lives of LGBT Americans more than any president in history,” the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT political group, said in its endorsement of Obama. “In 2008 we were promised change and profound change is what we got.”

Indeed, the list of Obama’s accomplishments on LGBT issues would have been unimaginable for any other president. The president pushed for and signed into law two major items on the national gay political agenda: the LGBT-inclusive Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

He instructed the Justice Department to stop defending court challenges against the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans federal recognition of same-sex marriage, and in May personally came out for marriage equality.

He also made major strides on LGBT issues that didn’t earn as many mainstream headlines, from requiring hospital visitation for LGBT partners to creating guidelines to protect transgender federal employees from job discrimination.

No LGBT reason to vote for Romney

That’s not to say some gay Republicans won’t vote for Romney: In 2008, 27 percent of self-identified gay voters told exit pollsters they voted for GOP presidential nominee John McCain, though skeptics note the small sample size had a relatively large margin of error.

But in this election, even the gay Republicans who back Romney aren’t using LGBT issues to explain their support.

Instead, Jimmy LaSalvia, executive director of gay conservative group GOProud, argues Romney has a better economic plan.

“Many gay Americans simply do not have the luxury to make gay marriage their number

Romney: Pledges to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gay marriage.

‘DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL’

Obama: Successfully fought for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” allowing lesbians and gay men to now serve openly in the U.S. military.

Romney: During the GOP primary, said he would not repeal DADT during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Has since indicated he would not work to reinstate the law.

President Barack Obama will likely lose Georgia to Republican Mitt Romney, but casting your vote for the man Newsweek dubbed America’s ‘first gay president’ still matters. (Obama official portrait, Romney publicty photo by Gage Skidmore)

one issue. Many gay Americans — like their straight counterparts — simply cannot afford four more years of Barack Obama,” LaSalvia said in an Oct. 16 press release.

The Log Cabin Republicans, the other national gay GOP organization, issued a belated endorsement of Romney Oct. 23, while actually acknowledging that Obama is the better candidate on gay issues.

“If LGBT issues are a voter’s highest or only priority, then Gov. Romney may not be that voter’s choice. However, Log Cabin Republicans is an organization representing multifaceted individuals with diverse priorities,” the endorsement states.

Log Cabin leaders said they believe they can work with Romney on ENDA (perhaps because he was for it before he was against it: running for U.S. Senate in 1994, he told LCR’s Massachusetts chapter he would co-sponsor ENDA, then changed his stance in later races).

As for Romney’s noxious pledge to support a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, Log Cabin leaders essentially said they don’t think he will follow through, noting, “there is a significant difference between a valid threat and an empty promise made to a vocal but shrinking constituency.”

It’s the economy, too

GA Voice doesn’t presume to analyze each candidate’s economic plans; our expertise is LGBT issues. But it is worth noting that many of the LGBT rights initiatives backed by Obama and opposed by Romney have a direct economic impact for LGBT Americans.

Military service offers a path to skilled

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 6 | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Find your polling location: https://mvp.sos.state.ga.us

EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT

Obama: Supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would ban job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and has extended similar protections for LGBT federal workers.

Romney: As a U.S. Senate candidate in 1994, Romney said he would co-sponsor ENDA, but has since said he opposes ENDA because it would “unfairly penalize employers at the hands of activist judges.”

job training and a college education for thousands of middle class and lower-income Americans; repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” means gay people can take advantage of this economic benefit.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which Obama supports and Romney opposes, would protect LGBT workers from facing economic disaster due to a bigoted employer.

Likewise, the stark contrast between Obama and Romney on gay marriage represents a huge difference on both equality and economics, as being able to legally marry would have dramatic economic benefits for same-sex couples.

The list includes being able to inherit a spouse’s property without additional taxation, being able to cover a spouse on health benefits without extra taxation, being able to receive Social Security survivor benefits, avoiding legal fees to try to recreate a portion of the benefits that come with an inexpensive marriage license, and many more.

Your vote counts

The winner of the popular vote gets all 15 of Georgia’s electoral college votes, which really elect the president, and it’s all but certain that Romney will win the Peach State.

A poll conducted Oct. 8-12 by Abt SRBI

Inc. for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that of 706 likely voters, 51 percent planned to cast their ballots for Romney, while 43 percent supported Obama.

But with 5 percent undecided and a margin of error of 5.3 percent, it is still possible that the race could be close. And even though Georgia’s electoral college votes are awarded all-or-nothing, the spread still matters.

The Williams Institute, a think tank, extrapolates from the 2010 Census to estimate Georgia’s LGBT population at 340,000, according to Georgia Equality’s Jeff Graham.

To put that in perspective, in the 2008 presidential race, John McCain won Georgia with 52.2 percent of the vote, gaining 204,792 more votes than Obama.

If LGBT voters turn out to help fuel a strong showing for Obama in Georgia, we can send a powerful message even if he doesn’t win the state: We show that candidates who support LGBT equality can still be viable here, and we prove that LGBT citizens can be a voting block worthy of attention from candidates from the top of the ballot on down.

So regardless of who gets Georgia’s electoral college votes, your ballot matters.

If LGBT equality matters to you, cast it for President Obama on Nov. 6.

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GA Voice

October 26, 2012

News

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Top 10 national LGBT races to watch From Congress to marriage equality, much at stake on Election Day

By Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com

Tammy Baldwin • Wisconsin

David Cicilline • Rhode Island

Kyrsten Sinema • Arizona

Mark Takano • California

Richard Tisei • Massachusetts

Sean Patrick Maloney • New York

From the chance to elect the nation’s first openly gay U.S. senator to the nation’s first state referendum to pro-actively legalize samesex marriage, Nov. 6 could prove historic for LGBT equality.

Here are 10 key contests to watch around the country on Election Day.

U.S. SENATE

Wisconsin: Tammy Baldwin Democrat Tammy Baldwin made history in 1998 when she became the first non-incumbent openly LGBT person and the first out lesbian elected to the U.S. House, representing Wisconsin’s District 2.

Now, the Madison resident wants to make history again: as the first openly LGBT U.S. senator in history. She faces Republican Tommy Thompson, former Wisconsin governor and former U.S. Secretary for Health & Human Services, for the seat left open by Sen. Herb Kohl’s decision to retire.

U.S. HOUSE

Rhode Island: David Cicilline Former mayor of Providence, R.I., David Cicilline’s 2010 election to the U.S. House made him “the fourth openly LGBT member of Congress and just the seventh LGBT person in U.S. history to serve openly on Capitol Hill,” according to the Victory Fund.

A Democrat, he faces a tough reelection battle for District 1 versus Republican Brendan Doherty and Independent David Vogel.

Arizona: Kyrsten Sinema Running to represent Arizona’s 9th Congressional district, Phoenix resident Kyrsten Sinema would be the first out bisexual elected to Congress, according to the Victory Fund. In 2006, she led Arizona Together, the only successful effort to defeat an anti-gay marriage ballot initiative.

A Democrat, she faces Republican Vernon Parker and Libertarian Powell Gammill on the Nov. 6 ballot.

California: Mark Takano A public high school teacher whose parents and grandparents were sent to Japanese American internment camps during World War II, Mark Takano would become the first openly

Publicity photos

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LGBT person of color to serve in the U.S. Congress, according to the Victory Fund.

A Democrat, he is running against Republican John Tavaglione for the District 41 seat, based in Riverside County.

Massachusetts: Richard Tisei Former Massachusetts state legislator Richard Tisei is running for the state’s District 6 seat in the U.S. House.

If successful, he would be the first out Republican elected to Congress as a non-incumbent; Republican U.S. Reps. Jim Kolbe (RAriz.) and Steve Gunderson (R-Wisc.) both first came out while already serving in Congress.

Tisei faces Democrat John Tierney and Libertarian Daniel Fishman.

New York: Sean Patrick Maloney A Democrat running for the 18th Congressional District, Maloney would be the first out gay member of Congress from New York. The Cold Spring resident lives with his partner of more than 20 years; the couple has three children.

Maloney faces Republican incumbent Nan Hayworth.

BALLOT MEASURES

Maine In November, Maine citizens will vote — not on a gay marriage ban — but on whether to pro-actively grant marriage equality in their state. This is the first such ballot measure in the country, brought by LGBT advocates rather

than by anti-gay forces seeking to prevent or overturn same-sex marriage.

Freedom to Marry, a national advocacy organization that has invested $1 million in the Maine fight, cites a July 2012 poll from the Portland Press-Herald in which 57 percent of respondents favored allowing same-sex marriage.

Maryland The Maryland state legislature passed samesex marriage last spring, and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley signed it into law on March 1, 2012. Opponents pushed for a referendum on the November ballot to stop same-sex marriage, which was set to begin Jan. 1, 2013.

The ballot measure, known as Question 6 or the Civil Marriage Protection Act, “establishes that Maryland’s civil marriage laws allow gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license.”

Minnesota Minnesota already has a state law banning same-sex marriage. On Nov. 6, voters will be asked whether to amend the state constitution to recognize marriage “solely between one man and one woman.”

Washington Washington’s state legislature approved a same-sex marriage bill early this year and Gov. Christine Gregoire signed it into law by on Feb. 13. Same-sex marriage was scheduled to begin in Washington on June 7, 2012, but opponents were able to gather enough signatures to get a ballot measure to overturn gay marriage approved for the November 2012 election.

To uphold same-sex marriage, voters will have to vote to approve Referendum 74.

Sources: Victory Fund, Freedom to Marry, Project Vote Smart

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GA Voice

October 26, 2012

News

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Out on the GA. Ballot CANDIDATES RUNNING UNOPPOSED

Gay candidates seek seats in Ga. General Assembly LGBT voters urged to help block GOP dominance in state legislature

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com

State Rep. Karla Drenner • (D-Avondale Estates) House District 85 • www.karladrenner.org

State Rep. Keisha Waites • (D-Atlanta) House District 60 • www.keishawaites.com

CANDIDATES FACING OPPOSITION State Rep. Simone Bell (D-Atlanta)

House District 58 • www.simonebell.com

State Rep. Simone Bell (D-Atlanta) won a special election in 2009, becoming the first openly lesbian African-American state lawmaker in the country.

In the House, Bell is a top co-sponsor of the Fair Employment Practices Act. Her long career in public service includes working for the Health Initiative and as community educator for Lambda Legal.

Bell faces Republican challenger Earl Cooper on Nov. 6. She is endorsed by Georgia Equality, Atlanta Stonewall Democrats and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

Timothy Swiney (D-Lawrenceville) House District 101 • www.electtimothy.com

Timothy Swiney is challenging Republican Rep. Valerie Clark.

Swiney, who lives in Lawrenceville with his partner and their two adopted children, is a strong advocate for changing Georgia law to specify that LGBT couples can adopt. Currently, Georgia law is silent on gay adoption, leaving decisions to individual judges.

Swiney is endorsed by the Atlanta Stonewall Democrats.

Tim Riley (D-Athens)

Senate District 47 • www.drtimrileyforsenate.com Tim Riley, a Democrat living in Athens, is vying for Senate District 47 but faces a Republican voting block and a popular Republican incumbent, Frank Ginn. This is his fourth bid for state Senate.

Brad Ploeger (Libertarian-Atlanta)

Public Service Commission • www.bradploeger.com Brad Ploeger, a Libertarian, is running for the Public Service Commission against incumbent Chuck Eaton and Democrat Steve Oppenheimer.

Ploeger said he is running for PSC because “by most appearances the Commission serves solely as a rubber stamp for the businesses it is charged with regulating.”

Gary D. Harrell (D-Rome)

Floyd County • Commission Post 2 • www.garydharrell.com Rome resident Gary Harrell hopes to unseat Republican incumbent Garry E. Fricks for the Floyd County Commission Post 2 seat. Harrell said he is running on a platform of fresh ideas, supporting small businesses, balancing the county’s budget thoughtfully and using new green and clean technology to move Floyd County forward.

Five openly gay candidates seek seats in the Georgia General Assembly in the Nov. 6 election, including three lesbian incumbents and two gay men challenging GOP state lawmakers. Two other known gay candidates are also on the ballot in Georgia, running for state Public Service Commission and Floyd County Commission.

In addition, Georgia Equality, the state’s largest LGBT political group, targets six races with gay-friendly Democratic candidates to try to keep Republicans from gaining a constitutional majority in the state legislature, which would allow them to put constitutional amendments on the ballot without needing any votes from Democrats.

Also, the state Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA), which would make it illegal to fire state workers based on sexual orientation and gender identity, would be in danger of stalling.

In the past session it stayed stuck in the House Judiciary Committee.

“There is a lot at stake — the presidential race, a constitutional majority and sponsors for FEPA,” Georgia Equality lobbyist Cathy Woolard has said of the upcoming election.

Openly gay candidates

When Nov. 7 rolls around, there will be at least two openly gay people serving under the Gold Dome.

State Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) has no opposition and will be reelected to House District 85. The first openly LGBT person elected to the Georgia legislature, Drenner has held onto her post since she was first elected in 2000.

State Rep. Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) battled a crowded field in the Democratic primary, but also has no opposition in the general election and will win her first full term in House District 60 after winning a special election in early 2012.

State Rep. Simone Bell (D-Atlanta), the third openly lesbian member of the Georgia House, faces Republican challenger Earl Cooper in the redrawn House District 58.

Interestingly, Cooper’s Facebook page displays a photo of him with Vice President Joe Biden and also a photo with First Lady Michelle Obama and wearing an Obama ‘08 pin.

Georgia Equality’s efforts to get out the LGBT vote included the LGBT political group’s Gold Dome float in the Atlanta Pride parade; other strategies include direct mail, phone banking and social media. (Photo by Bo Shell)

Bell’s 2009 election made her the first openly lesbian African-American state lawmaker in the country. She faced a tough Democratic primary this year, beating fellow Democratic Rep. Ralph Long after Republicans drew the two incumbents into the same new district.

Two openly gay men are also vying for seats in the General Assembly — Timothy Swiney of Lawrenceville is seeking state office for the first time while Tim Riley of Athens is making a fourth run.

Swiney, a Democrat, is hoping to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. Valerie Clark in House District 101. Swiney is endorsed by the Atlanta Stonewall Democrats and said he would strongly advocate for the Fair Employment Practices Act. Riley is again running for the state Senate against Republican incumbent Frank Ginn for Senate District 47. Riley also supports FEPA, saying he would work to ensure all people are treated fairly in the workplace.

No openly gay man has been elected to the state legislature. State Rep. Rashad Taylor (D-Atlanta) lost to incumbent Pat Gardner (DAtlanta) in the July primary. Taylor came out as gay after already being in office.

Also on the Nov. 6 ballot, Brad Ploeger, who is gay, seeks a seat on the state Public Service

News

www.theGAVoice.com Commission. The mission of the PSC is to “ensure that consumers receive safe, reliable and reasonably priced telecommunications, electric and natural gas services from financially viable and technically competent companies.”

Meanwhile, in Rome, Ga., gay Democratic activist Gary Harrell is challenging Republican incumbent Garry E. Fricks for Floyd County Commission Post 2. Sexual orientation has not been an issue in the race, Harrell said.

Fear of a GOP super majority

LGBT Georgians will suffer if the GOP solidifies total control of the state legislature, according to Georgia Equality’s Woolard.

“I can’t overstate how important it is that this [constitutional majority] not happen this time around, or the next time around. We need to not be moving toward this, we need to be moving away from this. This is too close to the edge,” Woolard said at a recent political briefing at the Rush Center.

A constitutional majority, or two-thirds of the members of the House or Senate, is the vote threshold required to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in Georgia.

In 2004, it took Democrats crossing party lines to vote with Republicans to put the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot. If the GOP wins a constitutional majority, similar amendments could be sent to voters without needing any Democratic support.

In the state House, Georgia Equality believes four out of five key races must have Democrats win to block a GOP constitutional majority. The races are: • Kimberly Alexander (D) vs. Bob Snelling (R). This is the newly drawn District 66 in the Douglasville area west of Atlanta. Snelling has name recognition because he was a state representative in 2002.

• Rep. Carl Von Epps (D-LaGrange) vs.

Gene King (R) in District 132. Von Epps is a long-time incumbent and a sponsor of FEPA. • Renita Hamilton (D) vs. Joyce Chandler (R) in the new District 105 that includes Lawrenceville and Grayson of Gwinnett County.

Hamilton also received an early endorsement from Georgia Equality.

• Rep. Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta) vs. Chris Boedeker (R) in District 81 that includes North Central DeKalb and a section of Gwinnett. Holcomb is the incumbent and a sponsor of FEPA. • Rep. Pedro Marin (D-Duluth) vs. Mark Williams (R) in District 96. Marin is also a long-time incumbent and FEPA sponsor and is endorsed by Georgia Equality.

On the Senate side of the General Assembly, there is one crucial race to keep the Republicans from gaining a constitutional majority — the race between incumbent Rep. Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna) and Republican Hunter Hill for District 6, which includes Sandy Springs, Buckhead and South Cobb.

Stoner has received Georgia Equality’s endorsement but Hill is a tough opponent because he is a native of the area, an Iraq War veteran and a Westminster graduate.

October 26, 2012

GA Voice

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com

HOW YOU CAN HELP Georgia Equality seeks volunteers to help endorsed candidates, either through phone banking or even driving people to the polls. To find out how you can help, email Melinda Sheldon at Melinda@georgiaequality.org

LGBT ENDORSEMENTS Georgia Equality www.georgiaequality.org (includes only contested races)

STATE SENATE SD 6 - Doug Stoner SD 9 - Scott Drake

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Atlanta Stonewall Democrats www.atlantastonewall.org STATE SENATE SD 9 – Scott Drake for SD#9 SD 44 – Gail Davenport

STATE HOUSE HD 39 - Alisha Thomas Morgan HD 54 – Lynn Brown McKinney HD 57 - Pat Gardner HD 58 - Simone Bell HD 59 – Margaret Kaiser HD 60 – Keisha Waites HD 86 – Michele Henson HD 93 - Dar’shun Kendrick HD 96 – Pedro Marin HD 101 – Timothy Swiney HD 105 – Renita Hamilton HD 113 – Pam Dickerson HD 118 – Spencer Frye

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GA Voice

October 26, 2012

News

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Police can’t verify recent local ‘hate crime’ claims Lesbians in Pride attack started fight; Atlantic Station alleged victim still mum

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com When two lesbians told a local TV station they were attacked over Atlanta Pride weekend because they were gay, people reacted with shock and empathy.

How could something so awful happen in Atlanta, much less during Pride weekend?

But when the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department released its report on the incident that happened at about 3:30 a.m. Oct. 13 in front of the W Hotel in Midtown, it raised questions about whether the two women told the whole story when they spoke to Fox 5 reporter Kaitlyn Pratt before the report was released.

Lesbian couple Kathryn Katalinich and Brooke Creef told Fox 5 they were called an anti-gay slur and pushed to the ground by men who also laughed at them.

“It’s just ridiculous there is so much hate,” a tearful Katalinch told Fox 5 in a report that was broadcast Oct. 13 and posted to the Fox 5 website Oct. 14.

The couple told Fox 5 that “words were exchanged” with two men as they were getting into a cab. Creef said she was pushed to the ground and then Katalinich was also pushed to the ground and her knees were scraped.

The news report did not include any information from police, just the words of the women who said what happened to them was a hate crime. Pratt did not discuss what a hate crime is but stressed the angle that the crime coincided with the gayest weekend in Atlanta.

Lesbians started altercation

On Oct. 15, however, the Fulton County Sheriff Deputy who was working a secondary job as security at the W Hotel finished the report on the incident and it was released to the public.

The report stated the lesbian couple was intoxicated and instigated the fight by calling an Asian woman a “stripper” among other things. After the lesbians called the Asian woman a stripper, she and her two black male friends retorted by calling Katalinich and Creef “dykes,” the report stated.

The Fulton County sheriff’s deputy, B. Pride, was working at the hotel when he was asked for assistance to break up a fight on the outdoor patio, according to the report. Some involved in the incident had fled the scene but the deputy interviewed the two women, Katalinich and Creef, both of Atlanta, who said they were beaten up.

Kathryn Katalinich (left) and her girlfriend, Brooke Creef, said they were attacked in a hate crime over Atlanta Pride weekend. A police report, however, suggests the couple instigated the fight. (Scheenshot via Fox 5)

“Ms. Creef stated stated to me that the incident started as a result of her directing several comments towards the Asian female, during which she referred to her as a ‘stripper’ and made negative comments about the way she was dressed,” according to the report.

“The Asian female uttered, ‘You look like a dike (sic).’ Both parties then engaged in a verbal confrontation yelling various negative epithets at each other. Ms. Creef alleged that Ms. Katalalinich approached the opposing party at which point one of the males pushed her down to the ground,” the report states.

The report further states Katalinich and Creef “appeared to be moderately intoxicated.”

Both said they had been drinking at a party at the hotel, according to the report.

Emails to the Fox 5 reporter Kaitlyn Pratt were not returned for comment. Attempts to reach Katalinich by phone and email were also unsuccessful.

“From news reports, it sounds like these women may have been victims of batteries. The obvious problem with calling yourself the victim of a crime, though, if you are the one who started it, is that you weren’t targeted due to your ‘suspect class,’ in this case your homosexuality,” said Atlanta gay attorney Christine Koehler.

“If news reports are correct, you drew attention to yourself when you referred to a woman as a stripper based on her attire. It is unfortunate that a verbal altercation would disintegrate in to name calling such as ‘dyke,’” Koehler added.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Department has turned over the case to the Atlanta Police Department.

“This is not being viewed as a bias crime,

at present, by APD,” said spokesperson Carlos Campos. “The report from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office seemed to indicate there was an exchange of words between two parties that led to an altercation.

“The information we were provided from the report indicates that the altercation did not seem to result from the sexual orientation of the complainants. We have spoken with the complainants,” Campos said. “We are not investigating the incident further.”

Atlantic Station incident still in question

The Atlanta Pride incident follows another alleged gay bashing that occurred in Atlantic Station on Aug. 4. In that incident, John Mark Parker of Decatur was on the way to a party being thrown

by LGBT magazine Fenuxe when he said he was punched in the face by a man after the man asked if he was gay and he answered yes.

Parker was taken to the hospital and received stitches after filing a preliminary police report.

But since Aug. 4, Atlanta police have been unable to reach Parker to follow up on the incident — Parker has not returned phone calls, emails and not been available when visits were made to his home, according to an investigator with the APD’s internal affairs department.

Alarming the community by reporting a hate crime but then not following through — or worse, calling yourself the victim of a crime when you started the whole altercation — is the “boy who cried wolf scenario.”

“It has the potential to diminish real, valid claims made by true victims of hate crimes,” Koehler said.

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GA Voice

October 26, 2012

News

www.theGAVoice.com

Lost-n-Found Youth celebrates first anniversary Leader to spend two days on truck to raise awareness

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com To commemorate the one-year anniversary of Lost-n-Found Youth, the organization’s executive director plans to spend 48 hours on top of a box truck to raise awareness of the plight of LGBT homeless youth in Atlanta.

Rick Westbrook, executive director of Lost-n-Found Youth, plans to stay on top of the truck from the afternoon of Nov.6 until Nov. 8. He will document his experience through Facebook posts, Twitter updates and perhaps a live video stream to give a glimpse of what homeless youth experience when forced to live on the streets.

The truck will be parked next to Brushstrokes in the Ansley Square shopping center.

Westbrook said he will climb aboard the truck one hour before the polls close on Election Day. He will come down for a short time to attend a town hall meeting on Nov. 7.

“I will be there rain or shine,” Westbrook said.

“Weather permitting I’ll sleep on the top of the truck, like the kids that sleep on the streets. If it rains I’ll sleep in the back of the

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com

truck, like the kids that sleep in squats or abandoned buildings. If the weather gets below freezing I’ll sleep in the truck, like the kids that sleep in their cars or any car they can find unlocked,” he added.

With access to the empty truck, Westbrook said he and the other volunteers of Lost-n-Found hope the community will fill it up with coats, underwear, socks, canned food and gift cards.

Westbrook said he will attend the town hall meeting coming straight from his stay on the truck “so it might not be pretty” and then will return to the truck afterwards for another 24 hours.

Lost-n-Found Youth Town Hall Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.

The Rush Center 1530 DeKalb Avenue, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30307 www.lost-n-found.org 24 hour hotline: 678-8-Lost-25

Dependent on donations

The Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence announced at a town hall meeting last November that its members would form a new organization in Atlanta to serve LGBT homeless youth who were falling through the cracks of other organizations.

First named Saint Lost-n-Found, the group changed its name to Lost-n-Found Youth and just this month received its own non-profit status as a separate entity from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

Since that town hall in November through today, the organization — completely volunteer run — has staffed a 24/7 hotline for youth who are in immediate need of housing and also

Lost-n-Found Youth’s float in the Atlanta Pride parade had the theme of ‘The places you’ll go!’

(Photo by Dyana Bagby)

maintains a six-room home.

In its first year, the organization has helped some 100 young people find housing, jobs, get dental and health care, clothes and a sense of empowerment.

The town hall meeting on Nov. 7 will update the community on what Lost-n-Found has accomplished and also explain where the group

still needs help to serve LGBT youth, Westbrook said.

The organization holds regular fundraisers, including the monthly Big Gay Game Show at Jungle, which typically raises approximately $1,000 and pays the rent for the group home.

But Westbrook and the Lost-n-Found board of directors are determined not to accept state funding or grants because they do not want the organization to be forced to follow strict guidelines of who and how they can help. That’s why donations from the community are so important, Wesbrook said, noting that a great time to give is when he is camped on top of the truck.

“It really is the beginning of our second year of funding so If people want to bring cash, checks, loose change — I will make sure it gets used to its fullest potential,” Westbrook said.

Creating Change had a positive impact on me professionally. As participants, we were able to empower ourselves to become stronger leaders and strengthen our efforts for the inclusion of equality.

Michelle A. Enfield Prevention Training Specialist Red Circle Project, AIDS Project Los Angeles

The largest annual gathering of activists, organizers and leaders in the LGBT movement

January 23–27, 2013 Hilton Atlanta Register now! www.CreatingChange.org Celebrating 25 years of Creating Change

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PRIDE

'Truly largest attendance' for Atlanta Pride Beautiful weather, great entertainment highlight 2012 festival weekend

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com

PHOTOS ON PAGES 16-17 & HUNDREDS MORE ONLINE

www.theGAVoice.com

Atlanta Pride 2012 is in the history books and next year’s fest is already set for Oct. 1213, 2013, in Piedmont Park. As planning begins for next year’s LGBT celebration, organizers called this year’s “massive” turnout “truly the largest attendance” in the event’s history.

While the number of people who visited Piedmont Park for Atlanta Pride over the weekend of Oct. 13-14 is hard to measure, Atlanta Pride Board Chair Glen Paul Freedman said Pride had its busiest Saturday in years and overall attendance broke records.

“No question that with all of the events throughout the weekend, in and out of the park for Pride, you could say this was truly the largest attendance and the great weather assisted with the massive turn out,” Freedman said.

Vendors ran out of materials early on Saturday, an indicator of a heavy turnout, Freedman noted. Financial information on how much vendors made won’t be available for another 60 days, he added.

“We have heard from vendors that many of them ran out of items in their booth on Saturday and had to totally restock on Sunday morning before the parade, and several vendors ran out by the end of the day on Sunday,” Freedman said.

“Because I want to make sure I’m safe. I haven’t tested since last year,” Herndon said while waiting for his results.

“I love it,” he said about having testing at Pride. “Free is always good. But you can’t put a price on being safe.”

Also waiting for his test results was J.J. Moore, 19.

“I really don’t get tested often because I haven’t had sex ... but Atlanta is known for HIV or AIDS and anywhere someone can go get it done for free is good,” Moore said.

Lines for free HIV testing

Marches, parade draw crowds

Among the most popular Pride booths throughout the weekend were those offering free HIV testing. The Ric Crawford Clinic and Positive Impact joined forces to provide free testing at Atlanta Pride this year, and over the course of the weekend, tested approximately 1,000 people. People lined up at the tents waiting for the half-hour or longer process.

Asen Herndon, 20, of Kennesaw, who is gay, said he wanted to take advantage of the free HIV testing and appreciated it being available during Pride.

Top: These revelers in the 2012 Pride Parade were among the 200 entries that helped make this year’s event larger than ever. (Photo by Brent Corcoran/ RNZ Photography) Bottom left: The Ric Crawford Clinic and Positive Impact performed some 1,000 HIV tests in Piedmont Park. (Photo by Bo Shell)

Nearly 160 people marched in the Trans March this year, up from last year. This march takes place in the park on Pride Saturday as a way to provide visibility to the lesbian, gay and bisexual people attending the festival. Casey Geyer of JustUs ATL said it’s time for the march to move to the streets.

“It was on the sidewalk, not on the street.

I think next year it needs to be on the street,” Geyer said. “Trans tends to get pushed to the side. It’s important we create visibility for ourselves.”

About 300 people marched in this year’s Dyke March, also on Saturday, Oct. 13.

Karen Aguero and her partner marched as a group with their daughter, Taylor, and numerous other family members and friends for one simple reason: “Because we’re proud,” Aguero said.

There were no major hiccups in the park other than a few anti-gay protesters who were in the park on Saturday but were removed with the help of the APD; no anti-gay protesters made it into the park on Sunday, Freedman said.

Anti-gay protesters heckled Sunday’s Pride parade, but they were drowned out by cars blaring their horns and LGBT-rights supporters cheering as marchers and floats went by.

The parade was also the largest ever, with some 200 entries. It lasted nearly three hours from the beginning at the MARTA Civic Station to the end at the Charles Allen entrance of Piedmont Park.

Winners in the parade in the nonprofit category were Latin Gay Community (first place), MISTER (second) and Righteously Outrageous Twirling Society (third). In the for profit category, winners were Nakato

Japanese Restaurant (first), Fenuxe magazine (second) and Swinging Richards (third).

“I would like our community to know that it takes 11 months to plan the Pride festival, parade and official events, and we owe a large thank you to our APC staff, festival committee members, Pride leads and volunteers,” Freedman said.

“We could not produce the largest LGBT free outdoor festival in the Southeast and the largest outdoor free festival in Atlanta without this dedicated group of staff and volunteers,” he said.

Buck Cooke held down the reins this year as interim managing director and plans are to hire a full-time executive director by the end of the year, Freedman added.

“The APC Board of Directors is meeting next week to approve the candidate process to hire a full-time executive director, which will be released by the end of this month. Our long term plans continue to be that we will hire an executive director before year’s end,” he said.

PHOTOS >>>

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t’s been almost 25 years since the release of Melissa Etheridge’s first studio album and nearly 20 since she came out publicly with her aptly named 1993 album, “Yes I Am.” Now the groundbreaking lesbian rocker returns to her roots with her latest album, September’s “4th Street Feeling,” named for a street in her hometown of Leavenworth, Kan. Her tour stops in Atlanta on Monday, Nov. 12, for a show at Symphony Hall.

Etheridge shattered barriers first by coming out in the early ‘90s and then by performing live at the Grammys while bald from breast cancer treatment. She returns to where she was born and raised for her eclectic 11th studio album, while experimenting with some new elements as well — like the banjitar featured in the first single, “Falling Up.” Always been known as a confessional musician, Etheridge’s personal woes have been on display in a new way with her 2010 split from actress Tammy Michaels and the alimony and custody cases that have only recently been resolved.

Nevertheless, Etheridge sings about her readiness to accept love again on her newest release, explaining that when she sings, “I think I’m ready to try my hand at love again” in the track “Rock & Roll Me,” she’s referring to her budding relationship with “Nurse Jackie” creator Linda Wallem, whom she met through her ex.

“I don’t think we’re ever ready,” Etheridge says. “Like if it was up to me I’d still be sitting up in my room, ‘No! No! I’m not going to do that again!’ But love has a way of coming and the relationship that I’m actually in now, she’s been my best friend for 10 years.

“Believe me, I wasn’t going to go out and look for it; it found its way into my home. I’m very happy. Yes, I am ready to try my hand at love again.”

You described that 4th Street feeling as the freedom to put everything you owned into your Chevy Impala. You’ve been on a long journey from Leavenworth, Kan., so it’s interesting that the emotional center of this album has us listening to Al Green and Tina Turner on your old 8-track. Why was it so important for you to bring us all back here with you?

Etheridge: Because that’s where my journey took me. I thought in the spiritual evolution of aging and gaining wisdom that I would somehow shed all my old stuff and become something new.

What I found is the only way you can become something new is to completely embrace all the old that you are and understand where you came from, and hold it, and even change your past in a way — in the way that you perceive it. In the way

BACK TO HER ROOTS MelissA Etheridge Brings '4th street feeling' to atlanta

By Phil Reese

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com Melissa Etheridge Monday, Nov. 12, 8 p.m.

Atlanta Symphony Hall 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309 www.atlantasymphony.org that you hold it now.

And music takes you right back there. It’s obvious that we’re doing some reminiscing as a society right now. The music sounds like it’s right out of the ‘60s or something, everything is retro, it’s going back. It’s like taking the best of what we did do and growing on it.

You came out 19 years ago and released “Yes I Am.” Just recently, R&B singer Frank Ocean followed your script, coming out and dropping an album; how has the music industry changed for gay musicians since ‘93?

Well, there’s safety in numbers, you know? I think in the ‘90s when those of us were speaking out, it was a sparse field. But I think everyone was kind of watching going, “Well, are you going to lose everything? Is it going to be like what we think?” And it’s all about how you kind of hold yourself in it.

Back then we did it. Did it hurt my career?

I say, “I went from selling one million to six million.” People can see that I’m not blaming any of my perceived failures on being gay, so I hold it that way. It’s just part of who I am. It’s part of the big tapestry of who I am. …

Almost 20 years after Melissa Etheridge became one of the first openly gay mainstream musicians, her ‘4th Street Feeling’ tour stop in Atlanta on Nov. 12. (Publicity photo by James Minchin III)

We also know that the male aspect of that sexuality can be really frightening to a lot of people, so I think that it is somehow looked at as it’s harder to be a gay man and open in the entertainment industry. You’ve got to be really solid to do that. In general, it’s a little more delicate of a subject, just because of all the fear.

Four years ago, you took part in the historic Logo-HRC presidential election panel. What do you think of what’s happened since then?

In the last 20 years, especially the last four, I think [the LGBT community has] become wiser about what part we play in this American drama that keeps unfolding in front of us, this experiment called Democracy and America and equality and what it really means.

We challenge it to its very core and we’ve seen how we’ve been played in this game.

OK, our votes are important, but no one can ever give us full cooperation, or they might be deemed less than, weak, or whatever scares them from giving us our civil rights.

So I think this last thing that Obama did, by saying he supports gay marriage, it changes the direction of the stream just enough to kind of give us, “Alright, there’s a reason we’ll vote for you again. Yes, you need our votes.” Because we’re a large group of people that cuts across every kind of people. And it also cuts across so many of our deep-seated fears in our whole culture. It’s a challenge.

We’re challenged people, and we are

challenging. And I think the homosexual community is the leaders in our great societal change right now. We are really pushing it, and I think it’s great.

It always seems with the LGBT community, it’s two steps forward, two steps back.

As an artist how do you respond to these crises of community?

I look at the LGBT community as the balance. We are all searching for balance right now. Our whole society. The whole human race. The gay community — we are examples of balance, because we have both the male and female inside each of us. And that’s pretty special.

And when we can learn to love that about us more, then we’ll see that there are emotional distresses in every type of person in every walk and choice of person, and that there’s a lot of sadness and a lot of fear and it makes you perfect and normal.

And we have to realize that our diversity is our strength, not only in our community but in our country, in the world. It’s loud and clear we better jump on that wagon, that everyone is different, and you have to celebrate those differences, otherwise we’re just going to destroy ourselves.

So I appeal to the LGBT community and say, “Hold yourself as someone very special.

Believe in who you are, and hold your balance. And that will help balance the rest of the world.”

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October 26, 2012

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by Shannon Hames

In search of acceptance Straight author plays gay to understand homophobia

What happens when a lesbian breaks down outside of a karaoke club and comes out to her fundamental evangelical friend, telling him how she was thrown out of her church and home?

In “The Cross in the Closet,” author Timothy Kurek describes his journey from condemning his friend to becoming accepting of all LGBT people.

The process included his “becoming gay” for a year (or rather pretending to be gay) and really coming out to his family, friends and church.

Since “The Cross in the Closet” was published earlier this month, Kurek’s experiment has garnered interviews on CNN, MSNBC, ABC’s “The View,” Fox News Radio and more.

GA Voice: Tell us about how this experiment began.

Kurek: A friend of mine used to go to karaoke with me in Nashville every week. She said, “I just came out to my family who is saved and they completely rejected me.” She got kicked out of her home, excommunicated from her church, was forced to move out and then, with no financial support, had to drop out of college. …

I realized that my instinct was to preach to her and change her instead of just loving her in that moment of sorrow. That voice telling me to preach to her wasn’t God. It was my spiritual programming.

I started to wonder how I could get rid of that programming and really feel her pain. I knew it wasn’t enough to have sympathy: I had to have empathy. To understand what she went through, I would have to do what Jesus did and become something I wasn’t and walk a mile in her shoes.

I had always been taught to follow Jesus. Up until then, following Jesus just meant going to a legalistic church, listening to Rush Limbaugh and voting Republican. I knew I had to get away from those things and just see what it was like to live like a gay man.

What was it like to come out to your parents?

I hated lying to them but what other way could I possibly understand how it feels to have the fear of rejection unless I did?

But you knew you would tell them eventually that you weren’t gay and they’d love you again so was there really a fear?

If they had rejected me, I would have known forever that their love was conditional so it was a real fear. It was terrifying.

‘Up until then, following Jesus just meant going to a legalistic church, listening to Rush Limbaugh and voting Republican. I knew I had to get away from those things and just see what it was like to live like a gay man.’ — ‘The Cross in the Closet’ author Timothy Kurek, who is straight, on his decision to live as a gay man to find out about the realities of homophobia. (Photo via Facebook)

What gay things did you do?

I adopted the label of “gay” – I’m straight so I can’t be gay. I could only immerse myself in gay culture. I didn’t want things to be scripted so I just hung out in the gayborhood. When someone asked me to play on the gay softball team, I said yes. When someone asked me to go to New York to protest with SoulForce, I said yes. I let everything happen the way it would have naturally happened if I really were gay.

I did have a pretend boyfriend because the first time I went to a gay club, I realized I was in way over my head. I pulled my one gay friend from karaoke in and asked him to help. He agreed to be my boyfriend so it kept me from having to flirt and gave me an excuse if a man asked me out.

I did let him kiss me one time for the experience. We also held hands and I was very comfortable with him but I didn’t do anything sexual whatsoever.

What was the biggest surprise that you learned about the gay community?

In my upbringing, there was a list of gay stereotypes like alcoholics, drug addicts, promiscuous… all of the negative adjectives. When I started living with them, about 99 percent of those stereotypes evaporated. …

There was a series of these breaking down stereotypes moments that moved me along but I think the moment the scales fell off my eyes — I wrote about it in the chapter I called “Jesus in Drag” — it was when I was at the [LGBT] café.

I heard a familiar song coming from the community center next door. It was karaoke

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com ‘The Cross in the Closet’

by Timothy Kurek 352 pages, BlueHead Publishing (Oct. 11, 2012) www.timothykurek.com night and I walked in, there was a drag queen on stage singing “Our God is an Awesome God” and everybody in the room had their arms up, eyes closed and just praising God. It was the most intense worship experiences of my life. It was also the moment that I felt ashamed of how stupid I had been to think that you couldn’t be gay and be a Christian.

What was the biggest surprise that you learned about the Christian community?

I had a few friends openly reject me. But more shocking was how isolating and debilitating it was when I realized when my church and everyone in it cut me off without a word.

It ended up being a blessing to find out who my real friends were. I was rooting for them to come and be like Jesus to me so that I could break some of the stereotypes about Christians.

It was really convicting that when I walked into the gay community in Nashville, I was instantly welcomed, loved and accepted like Jesus would have done. I never felt that level of love or community in any church.

If the church could emulate the LGBT community in terms of their ability to accept and love each other, I don’t think the world would be the same.

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‘Divine Sister’ Act New comedy prays MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com

Never known to shy away from gay-themed or bawdy material, the Process Theatre opens its 10th anniversary season this week with the comedic “The Divine Sister,” starring a duo who have worked together consistently over the years — Topher Payne (also a GA Voice columnist) and Process Artistic Director DeWayne Morgan, both openly gay.

“Sister” is the latest from the hands of Charles Busch, author of “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom,” “Die, Mommie, Die!” and “Psycho Beach Party.” We caught up with Payne and Morgan to discuss the play and the future of Process Theatre.

You’ve played so many diverse roles in your career, Topher, from David Frost to Joan Crawford. How does playing a nun fit into your oeuvre?

Topher: When I approach playing one of these women, I have to study movement and voice so closely, just to figure out what’s pos-

‘The Divine Sister’ Through Nov. 17 at Onstage Atlanta 2597 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033 www.theprocesstheatre.org sible with the big giant body and baritone voice I bring to the table. That’s ended up being so instructive with the men, as well, because I pay attention to specificity and consistency. In a sense, Joan Crawford taught me to be a better actor, which I think she’d be pleased to know.

Mother Superior has been a fun new area to explore because her vow is totally literal. She really sees herself as married to Jesus, and every choice she makes is filtered through that relationship. Being Mrs. Jesus is a pretty big responsibility.

How would you describe this character? Is she Auntie Mame-ish?

Topher: Mother Superior was a girl reporter in the 1940s who fled to a convent after getting dumped by the love of her life. Her best friend came along and became a nun as well. Now

GA Voice

23

If there’s anything Auntie Mame-ish about her, it’s her absolute unflappability. She just takes life as it comes, which I admire.

DeWayne: She is an everywoman; everyone looks up to her and respects her opinion.

She really wants to rebuild the convent they are in and move it into the new century.

THEATER by Jim Farmer

for twisted laughs

October 26, 2012

Topher Payne, GA Voice columnist and Best Actor winner in the 2012 GA Voice Best of Atlanta awards, plays Mother Superior in the new comedy ‘Divine Sister.’ (Photo courtesy Payne)

it’s 20 year later, and her lost love shows up at the convent, which would be tricky enough, but there’s also a nun experiencing visions and healing the sick, plus a Da Vinci Code subplot and a few musical numbers.

Did you do any special preparation or specific research?

Topher: The play’s a mash-up of every movie about nuns, so I re-watched the ones it references —“Sister Act,” “Doubt,” “Agnes of God,” plus that amazingly bad movie where Mary Tyler Moore’s a nun and Elvis is a doctor in the ghetto. Seriously, I am still getting over how bad that movie was.

For my own prep, with each of the female characters I try to send them in a new direction, so the audience doesn’t say, “Oh, Topher’s doing that thing he does when he plays a chick.” I studied Maggie Smith, Cherry Jones, Katharine Hepburn — whiskey-voiced broads who command absolute authority, but seem like they know a few really good dirty jokes.

With Walmart poised to take over the Suburban Plaza shopping center (where Onstage and Process are housed) next year, where will the two theaters re-locate?

DeWayne: We want to stay with Onstage together somewhere within a five-mile radius, and hopefully we can announce something soon.

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October 26, 2012

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#11: White men, ethnic minorities and aphrodisiacs Our husband-hunting hero gets a Holy Taco, and more Robert lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. Beside him was Ricardo, a man he’d met at Mary’s a few hours earlier in East Atlanta Village. They had gone for a late dinner at nearby Holy Taco and, after a two margaritas on top of a beer, landed in bed at Ricardo’s nearby apartment.

Robert’s mind was, as usual, running a mile a minute. They’d had good sex. Robert especially liked that Ricardo automatically reached for a condom. For reasons he did not understand, unsafe sex seemed to be the norm now.

Perhaps it was the myth that HIV infection is easily managed and doesn’t affect life span.

But, as always with Robert, appreciation was immediately followed by irritation.

After the sex, Ricardo rolled over and lit a cigarette, exhaling a cloud that hovered over the bed and glowed in the light of a street lamp outside the open window. Robert wondered how the mortality rates of lung cancer and AIDS compared.

“You don’t mind if I smoke, do you?” Ricardo asked, six puffs after starting.

“No,” Robert replied. “Erotic asphyxiation can be hot.”

Ricardo ignored or didn’t get the sarcasm.

“How did you like dinner?” Robert asked.

He knew that Ricardo was of Mexican heritage and might have a pointed opinion about Chef Robert Phalen’s very creative cooking.

“I eat there a lot,” Ricardo replied. “It’s not pure Mexican for sure, but there’s very little of that in the city anyway. The Tex-Mex that most people eat here is repulsive goo.”

Robert agreed. At Holy Taco, a truly pan-Latin restaurant, one can dine on buttermilk chicken-heart tacos; whole grilled sardines; short-rib sandwiches topped with pickled baby turnips; Buffalo-style pig tails; ears of grilled corn slathered in mayo and scattered with queso fresco; an amazing chimichanga; and many more small plates, entrees and fresh, local vegetables.

“So,” Robert asked, “how does it feel to be gay and Latino in Atlanta? Do you encounter much prejudice?”

“White gay men love Latinos – as long as you don’t have too much Indian blood,” Ricardo replied, stubbing out his cigarette. “They tend to think of us as exotic. But we also encounter new prejudice because of all the talk about illegal immigrants.”

Robert rolled over and put his arm around Ricardo. “Oh, I meant to ask to see your papers before I agreed to have sex.”

Ricardo laughed. “White gay men in Atlanta have a surprising amount of prejudice,” he said, “for a community of oppressed people

Food Porn is a fictional series by longtime Atlanta food critic Cliff Bostock. Set in real Atlanta restaurants, it chronicles the adventures of Robert, a gay man in search of a husband — or at least a good meal.

Read the whole series online at www.theGAVoice.com.

Recommended Holy Taco 1314 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316 404-230-6177, www.holy-taco.com Good choices: The menu changes fairly frequently but any of the dishes mentioned above, if available, is a good choice. It’s the combo of flavors, often provided by surprising ingredients, that makes much of the food compelling. themselves.”

Robert agreed. “Still,” Robert said, “black men are often fetishized by white men, too. It’s all about the BBD.” “What?” Ricardo replied.

“Big Black Dick,” Robert said. “BBD is the term used on the Internet.”

Ricardo sighed. “Oh, I know what you mean.”

He reminded Robert how a certain bar in the city became infamous for turning out the lights in a back room late one night a week. The purpose was public sex in a virtually unlit environment.

“It was obvious that a lot of the white men were there to have sex with black men but without any need to actually interact socially.”

“Right,” Robert said. “Get some BBD and run out the door. Do Latinos encounter anything like that?”

“Not quite as explicit,” he said. “Well, a lot of white men do seem to assume every Latino has twice the foreskin and three times the passion of everyone else on the planet.”

“But you do,” Robert said, laughing and reaching for Ricardo’s penis. “You know,” he said, “I think Holy Taco’s food may be a true aphrodisiac.

It’s some of the most sensual food in our city.”

GA Voice

October 26, 2012

Calendar

BEST BETS 10.26 - 11.08 SPOTLIGHT

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ADD YOUR EVENT

There are two ways to add your events to our online and print calendars. Submit your info to www.theGAVoice.com or e-mail details to editor@theGAVoice.com.

Friday, Oct. 26

Carma Productions hosts the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for networking from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Senor Patron Mexican Restaurant, 860 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantagaychamber.org

Photo via alicelovelace.com

DJ 5 Hour Boner and DJ Sam Rothstein spin for Hallo-Weenie dance party and costume contest. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com DJ Brett Long spins for the ‘90s dance party at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

Saturday, Oct. 27 Poetry Atlanta, Georgia Center for the Book and Poets & Writers present the 8th annual Voices Carry reading featuring Jericho Brown, Sandra Meek, Alice Lovelace and Cecilia Woloch; hosted by Collin Kelley. 3 p.m. at Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030. http://poetryatlanta.blogspot.com/

You have three chances to win as Burkhart’s serves up Halloween costume contests tonight, Saturday night and Wednesday night. 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com Secretroom.net presents Halloween Dreams, featuring electrohouse, techno, a horror show, $1,000 costume contest and more, at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

ct. 26 theme for this year’s Friday, Olly wood is the

Ghosts of Ho benefit e celebration to Halloween costum ich provides homes for e, wh Jerusalem Hous ight at Atlanta HIV. 8 p.m. — midn by ed ct pa im le peop er Ave., Atlanta, 265 Peachtree Cent , uis rq Ma t ot rri Ma alloween usalemhouse.org/h GA 30303, www.jer

Get into the spirit with Masquerade Ball, featuring mask and stripper pole contests at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30367, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Saturday, Oct. 27 Publicity photo

It’s the Trick Your Treat Halloween Bash at 10 p.m. at Cockpit, 465 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Saturday, Oct. 27 Celebrated gay humorist David Sedaris brings his sardonic wit to Atlanta Symphony Hall. 8 p.m. at 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantasymphony.org

DJ Pat Scott spins with a costume contest at 1 a.m. with the theme “A Night at the Movies” at Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com DJ Tina Vee spins and the Court of Kings perform for “Hella Gay Halloween,” including a costume contest at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com DJ Seth Cooper spins for the “Gods and Monsters” Halloween bash at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Photo via 5friends4life.com

Dress as your favorite celebrity (living or zombie) for Scary-Oke. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com Bubba D. Licious hosts Night of the Dancing Dead with DJ Mike Pope at 10 p.m. and a costume contest at 1 a.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Sunday, Oct. 28 5Friends4Life presents the 10th annual Black Party, with the theme “Wicked.”

Discounted admission if you bring a new toy for Toys for Tots. VIP at 5 p.m., party at 7 p.m. at Opera, 50 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.5friends4life.com

Photos by Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photography

26

Mixx hosts a Happy Halloween dance at 1492-B Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com Traxx and Traxx Girls join forces for “Pitch Black 2012: A Night of Darkness,” an LGBT Halloween bash, including a costume contest. 18 and up. Doors open at 10 p.m. at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xcessultralounge.com

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S T N E V E N E E W O L L A H Y N’T MISS ALL YOUR GA

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<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< MORE LGBT EVENTS: Visit our website for our extensive daily calendar, including nightlife schedules, sports, worship services and community organization meetings. www.thegavoice.com/calendar

Enjoy a costume contest at midnight plus the Divas Cabaret at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30367, www.thenewlebuzz.com It will technically be Sunday morning as Dave & Gerardo spin at 3 a.m. at private club Xion, 2241 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.cariocaproductions.com

Saturday, Oct. 27Sunday, Oct. 28

The Atlanta Harlequins Women’s Rugby Club hosts the 2012 USA Rugby Women’s Division 1 Elite 8 Playoffs, bringing the nation’s top eight teams to compete for one of two spots in the Nov. 10 national championship. Matches begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.

Sunday at Rhodes Jordan Park Field 3, 100 East Crogan St., Lawrenceville, GA 30046, www.atlantaharlequins.com

Sunday, Oct. 28

Lesbian-owned feminist bookstore Charis hosts “The Magic of Fairy Dust,” a Halloween Children’s story hour. 1 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Some $666 in cash and prizes is up for grabs in the Tricks or Treats costume contest; sign up by 6 p.m. for contest at 7 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com Join DJs Stroker Ace and Business Casual for Twin Peaks Prom. Dress as your favorite Twin Peaks/Fire Walk With Me character or in prom attire. 8 p.m. to midnight at Sauced, 753 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, http://on.fb.me/WE20hb

Calendar

Regina Simms and Aqualencia Litre present “Witches & Bitches,” a scary Halloween show, at 9 p.m. at Friends Neighborhood Bar, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA friendsonponce-at.com

Monday, Oct. 29

Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles plays at 8 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515-B McDonough Road, Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com Every Monday night, enjoy Stars of the Century at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

October 26, 2012

GA Voice

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Photo by Robin Henson Photographs

www.theGAVoice.com

Tuesday, Oct. 30

Tim Westover presents his “Auraria: A Georgia Ghost Novel” at 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com The Halloween edition of Cockpit’s comedy series, held the last Tuesday of each month, is “Laugh Your Balls Off: Scream Queens of Comedy.” 8:30 p.m. at Cockpit, 465 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Enjoy food and drinks on the patio at 7 p.m., a costume contest at 7:45 p.m. and “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 8 p.m., all to benefit the Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence grant fund. Cowtippers Steaks & Spirits, 1600 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, Ga. 30324 Rapture Divine is special guest judge and performs tonight in Jungle’s “Dragnificent.” There’s $1,000 up for grabs at the end of the seven-week amateur competition. 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com The Revenge of Mary’s Goth Nite returns for Halloween, with “spooky” attire requested. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com Get $1 off every drink if you wear your Halloween costume to the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com Show off your costume with a contest at midnight at Friends Neighborhood Bar, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA friendsonponce-at.com DJ Birdman celebrates his birthday on Halloween night with “Evolution” at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30367, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Thursday, Nov. 1

SAGE Atlanta, a support and social group for LGBT elders, meets starting at 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.sageatl.org Thursdays are 18-and-up College Night at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

Friday, Nov. 2

SAGE Atlanta, for LGBT elders, hosts chair yoga every Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.sageatl.org

Thursday, Nov. 1

Amanda Kyle Williams, who got her start in lesbian fiction and found major success with her mainstream mystery series, brings her new novel, “A Stranger in the Room,” home to Atlanta’s feminist bookstore. 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

ON SALE NOW!

NOVEMBER 12

ATLANTA SYMPHONY HALL

Buy your tickets to tonight’s show of Cirque du Soleil’s Totem directly through CHRIS Kids, so 100 percent goes to the agency that serves youth and families, including LGBT youth. 8-10 p.m. under the Big Top at Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30363, www.chriskids.org/annual-events

Tickets available at the Woodruff Arts Center box office located at 1280 Peachtree Street in Midtown and all Ticketmaster outlets including Publix Super Markets

TICKETMASTER.COM • 1.800.745.3000

All artists and schedules subject to change without notice. Tickets subject to service charge.

Wassup ‘N ATL hosts their upscale First Friday party with DJs Trouble and Angel X with MC Wild Thang on the mic. 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.wassupnatl.com

Friday, Nov. 2 – Sunday, Nov. 4

The Atlanta Rollergirls host “Grits and Glory,” the 2012 Women’s Flat Track Derby Association championships at the Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30313, www.atlantarollergirls.com

A sAvAgely funny fAiry tAle for grown-ups

By

Steve Yockey Directed by

Saturday, Nov. 3

Melissa Foulger

The MEGA Family Project hosts its annual MEGA Family Conference, dubbed the largest gathering in the South for LGBT families. Expect a day of workshops, speakers, networking and fun for the whole family. 8:30 a.m – 5 p.m. at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.megafamilyproject.org Monica hosts a free march and rally to “Keep the Promise on AIDS in the South.” 1 p.m. at Centennial Park, www.keepthepromiseonaids.org A new “coming out” support group for LGBT adults meets on Saturdays through Nov. 17; 4 p.m. at First MCC Community Center, 1379 Tullie Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. www.firstmcc.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

November 8 – December 2, 2012 A National New Play Network World Premiere

actors-express.com 404.607.SHOW Actor’s Express at the King Plow Arts Center fulton county arts & culture

OUT ON FILM

Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council. This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs.

AE-Wolves4.917x5 8.12.indd 2

10/17/12 12:26 PM

October 26, 2012

Calendar

EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

“We Have Not Been Moved: Celebrating Mandy Carter and Southerners on New Ground” celebrates these innovators in progressive activism.

7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Celebrate the release of Kathy Griffin’s new DVD, “Red, White & Raw” at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Saturday, Nov. 3 Sunday, Nov. 4

The Chastain Park Arts Festival, a part of the gay owned and operated Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces series of festivals, offers local arts and crafts in the largest public park in Fulton County. Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327

Sunday, Nov. 4

For the Foodie in All of Us is the chef series to raise funds for For the Kid in All of Us, which produces Toy Party and other events to benefit kids in need.

Today, enjoy a culinary and cocktail demonstration from Chef Shane Devereaux and mixologist Justin Hadaway. Tickets are $50; event is from 3-5 p.m. at the Cook’s Warehouse, 1544 Piedmont Ave. #403R, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.forthekid.org The Armorettes, Atlanta’s legendary fundraising drag troupe, takes over at 8 p.m. at at Burkhart’s, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Monday, Nov. 5

PFLAG Atlanta hosts its First Monday Support meeting for parents, friends and families of LGBT people. 7:30-9 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, slightly beyond 1587 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.pflagatl.org Family Feud returns at 11:30 p.m. to Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309,www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Tuesday, Nov. 6

It’s Election Day, so make sure your vote counts.

7 a.m. – 7 p.m. To find your polling location, visit https://mvp.sos.state.ga.us Tuesdays, Thursdays and early Saturday, get your country on with 3-Legged Cowboy nights at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Wednesday, Nov. 7

Pamela King Cable reads from “Televenge: A televangelist mystery.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

www.theGAVoice.com

hoto

GA Voice

p licity Pub

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Friday, Nov. 16Antigone Rising play

Lesbian Jen Foster and 7:30 p.m. at a show for the Decatur crowd.

Road, Decatur, ugh ono McD B 515Eddie’s Attic, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com

UPCOMING Friday, Nov. 9

The Brushstrokes Miss Originality Pageant features $1,000 for the winner, $500 for first runner up and $300 for second runner up; limited to first 10 paid contestants. Provocative drag star Sharon Needles performs and serves as special guest judge. Proceeds benefit PALS and Lost-N-Found Youth. 8 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.brushstrokes.us/pageant

Saturday, Nov. 10

Hosted by Mariah Balenciaga of “Rupaul’s Drag Race,” the “Diva!” dance party features performances by Michael Robinson, Corian Ellisor and Marcus Allen. 9 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Monday, Nov. 12

Lesbian rock superstar Melissa Etheridge plays a show at Symphony Hall on her “4th Street Feeling” tour. 8 p.m. at Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantasymphony.org

Wednesday, Nov. 14

Black and White Ball is the theme for this month’s PALS Bingo, hosted by Bubba D. Licious and Brent Star. Doors at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:30 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.palsatlanta.org

Thursday, Nov. 8

Kelly Barth presents “My Almost Certainly Real Imaginary Jesus: A Memoir of Sexuality and Christianity.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Joshua Radin, who has performed on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show and sang at her wedding, takes the stage with A Fine Frenzy at 8 p.m. at Buckhead Theatre, The Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Rd NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30305, www.ticketmaster.com

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GA Voice

October 26, 2012

Columnists

www.theGAVoice.com

THAT’S WHAT

SHE SAID Costume correctness Confessions of an elitist Halloween snob

I’m an elitist Halloween snob. I freely admit that I have a few hard and fast rules that I impose in a Pentecostal way.

For example, I oppose sexy Halloween costumes if they only exist for the sake of being sexy. An effort to simply show skin at Halloween is a sacrilege to what I believe is the beauty of Halloween: creativity and humor. The true judge of your costume is the reaction that others have and I have never been impressed by a costume just because it was sexy.

I take this time of year as an outlet to set aside all levels of political correctness. Normally, I am sensitive to the tragedies experienced by others, but on Halloween, all bets are off and I will eagerly use these tragedies to shock and amuse others.

For instance, after Kurt Cobain’s death I went as the singer after he killed himself. When Firestone got in trouble for accidents caused by their blown tires, I dressed up as a Firestone accident victim.

People were afraid to swim on the Florida coast one summer after a series of shark attacks, so I went as someone who had been attacked with an inflatable shark in tow. When Roy from Siegfried & Roy got bitten by his white tiger, Montecore, I went as the animal fresh from the attack.

If Halloween happens to come during a time when you have something unique going on in your own life, I fully expect that condition to be embraced and exploited. When I was still on dialysis and very underweight, I used that opportunity to go into the children’s department and dress as one of the girls who had been beaten by her minister at the House of Prayer in Atlanta.

Yes, to answer your question, at Halloween nothing is sacred, including abused children.

Halloween is also the perfect time of year to cash in on bets. Once, I was on the receiving end and after losing a bet to Bert Weiss, I was forced to dress as a UGA cheerleader at our show’s

Melissa Carter is also a writer for Huffington Post.

She broke ground as the first out lesbian radio personality on a major station in Atlanta and was one of the few out morning show personalities in the country. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCarter

Halloween party. I added horns and a pitchfork to the outfit, so when anyone asked why I was dressed this way, I would honestly reply that I was in Hell for having to wear that outfit.

After I broke my ankle, I used my cast in my depiction of Kim Zolciak from “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” fresh from a NeNe Leakes beat down.

Don’t be afraid to take risks. Black face is not usually in my arsenal of costumes but during the 2008 presidential campaign, Katie and I decided to go as potential first ladies Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama. In order to authentically pull it off, Katie had to turn her skin a darker shade to look like Michelle.

Walking into the party we both knew it could turn out badly for us, and planned a quick escape route if we were not well received. Instead, the African-American women were the ones who laughed loudest and asked for photos first.

Just last week, Katie and I paid homage to the jailed members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot when we attended a friend’s party.

We included the band’s logo on our shirt, along with shackles and a ball and chain. It was immediately evident who was aware of that news story when we arrived. Despite those who had not read the news story and had no clue what we were, the belly laughs from those who got it were well worth the trouble.

This year, I am taking my Halloween obsession to a new level. I will host my first very own Halloween Party on Halloween Night at the Goat Farm. My party, “Harvest,” will benefit the Melissa Carter Transplant Fund. Get it? (They harvest organs for donation...I told you nothing was sacred).

Each year we will have a different theme and Steampunk will be the theme for our inaugural party. For those who aren’t familiar with Steampunk, Google it. For those who are, impress me. Happy Halloween!

Columnists

www.theGAVoice.com

October 26, 2012

GA Voice

31

DOMESTICALLY

DISTURBED Give a cluck about equality When it comes to Chick-Fil-A, the numbers don’t lie

A few weeks back in this column, I wrote about a certain restaurant known for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and hatemongering religious extremism.

I received a message in response from a reader, in which he stated: “There is so much misinformation and exaggeration about CFA’s donations to ‘hate groups.’ Only $1,000 each was donated to FRC and Exodus, and not millions as has been reported here by gay activists and other left-wing publications.”

This distortion of the truth has been repeated so consistently, but doesn’t stand up to even the most passive scrutiny. Even supporters of the Chick-fil-A boycott may not be aware of how the corporate funds were distributed. So, here are the exact dollar amounts of the donations, who got ‘em, and why it’s a problem.

Marriage & Family Foundation: $1,188,380 Founded by Dan Cathy’s brother Donald, who is a senior VP at Chick-fil-A, the foundation’s mission statement clearly outlines a commitment to guide America’s values back towards the traditional family model.

Oh, and guess who’s on the list of charter members? Why it’s Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, the bigoted wackadoos who send you to summer camp and teach you how to not be gay. Fun fact: Chick-fil-A gave Exodus $1,000 in 2010.

Also a charter member: the president of the Georgia Family Council. You might remember them from their successful campaign for a state constitutional ban on marriage equality. Fun fact: Chick-fil-A gave Georgia Family Council $2,500 in 2010.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes: $480,000 Hey kids, come join FCA! What’s that?

You’re gay? Oh. Come back after you’ve prayed that away. God condemns you and so do we. But after you’ve been delivered from homosexuality, we’ll let you speak at our national conference and put you on our website.

Topher Payne is an Atlanta-based playwright, and the author of the book “Necessary Luxuries: Notes on a Semi-Fabulous Life.” Find out more at topherpayne.com

National Christian Foundation: $247,500 They’re the largest Christian grant-making foundation in the world, and their three largest grant recipients each year are Focus on the Family, the Discovery Institute, and the Family Research Council.

We’re talking tens of millions of dollars, to fund anti-marriage equality initiatives on the state level and defending DOMA on the federal level, plus conversion therapy, and heteronormative abstinence-only education in public schools.

New Mexico Christian Foundation: $54,000 Another sneaky move. The New Mexico Christian Foundation is just a localized offshoot of the National Christian Foundation. See above.

Family Research Council: $1,000 In addition to the grants funded by Chickfil-A and bestowed by the NCF and its New Mexico branch, there was this bonus payout to an organization which has repeatedly compared homosexuality to child molestation and bestiality. They are classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. These people 1026.KTLO.4.917X2.4.AGAV_Layout 1 10/19/12 11:40 AM Page 1 are fanatical sociopaths, driven by hatred.

All of this is, of course, their right. As long as they are open and honest about it, people can make informed decisions. Taking simple “A front-runner for statistics and presenting them as the facts they -ERIC HYNES, THE VILLAGE VOICE clearly are is not infringing on their rights, or “Exquisitely, even thrillingly authentic.” being intolerant. It’s just reporting truth.

-A.0. SCOTT, THE NEW YORK TIMES And finally, in response to the reader calling “HHHHH You simply have to see it!” out gay activists: Yes, I am a gay man. Married - JOSHUA ROTHKOPF, TIME OUT NEW YORK to a gay man. I have the license to prove it. I am also a Christian. My beliefs are fervently held Thure Lindhardt Zachary Booth and the foundation of my life.

I strive to be a champion of love, kindness, and charity, so my activism is for fairness and A film by Ira Sachs equality, because I believe that is Christ’s ex© Southport Music Box Corp ample. I know there are people who believe keepthelightsonfilm.com musicboxfilms.com facebook.com/keepthelightsonfilm their relationships are more deserving of recognition than others. What I will never understand is why they think that.

best American film of the year.”

twitter.com/ktlomovie

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