The Georgia Voice - 11/22/13, Vol. 4 Issue 19 by Georgia Voice

Illustration by Mike Ritter

Midtown legend Will Baton Bob sue Atlanta police? Page 16

Holiday memories LGBT folk share their recollections. Page 20

Party outtaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bounds Your gay Atlanta holiday roundup. Page 41

Changing laws changed their lives The recent Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act led Greg and Peter to take a serious look at their investment planning needs. The rapidly changing legal landscape meant it was crucial that they worked with someone who was knowledgeable, so they turned to Wells Fargo Advisors. Our Financial Advisors who have the Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor℠ (ADPA®) designation are well-versed on the current set of challenges, so Greg and Peter walked away with a solid plan and confidence in the future. Let’s talk about your long-term investment planning needs. Because when people talk, great things happen. To find one of our ADPA-certified Financial Advisors in your area, visit wellsfargoadvisors.com/adpa today.

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EDITORIAL

Editor: David Aaron Moore dmoore@thegavoice.com

Deputy Editor: Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Art Director: Mike Ritter mritter@thegavoice.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Melissa Carter, Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames, Topher Payne, Matt Schafer, Steve Warren, Ryan Lee

IN THIS ISSUE

6 | World AIDS Day: ATL Metro events 8 |World AIDS Day: Navigating Obamacare 10 | News in brief: community developments 16 | Baton Bob contemplates lawsuit

FEATURED STORY

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

17 | Interview: musician Patty Larkin 20 | Holiday Recollections: Joan Garner, Jeff Graham and GAVO’s editor share memories 29 | Gift Guide: the best in holiday shopping tips 40 | LGBT holiday theater and more 41 | Party outta’ bounds: the gay holiday roundup 42 | Best Bets: what’s going on in LGBT Atlanta

BUSINESS

Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com

Managing Partner: Christina Cash ccash@thegavoice.com

National Advertising: Rivendell Media, 908-232-2021 sales@rivendellmedia.com

FINE PRINT

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, PO Box 77401, Atlanta, GA 30357. 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.

Join us online: facebook.com/thegavoice twitter.com/thegavoice

OUTSPOKEN FRIENDS & FOES IN THEIR OWN WORDS “The Urban League of Greater Atlanta is awarding the Chick-fil-A Foundation and Dan Cathy for the Foundation’s significant financial contributions that support programs that empower communities – including funding for a signature program that teaches inner city youth financial literacy, and a local community food bank...Please be assured that the Urban League of Greater Atlanta supports and works for equal rights for all people, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or physical ability.” — Urban League of Great Atlanta after being criticized by LGBT activists honor anti-gay Dan Cathy, president and CEO of Chick-Fil-A, at its annual Equal Opportunity Day Dinner on Nov. 16.

Publicity photo

Business Advisor: Lynn Pasqualetti Financial Firm of Record: HLM Financial Group

“When pastors take the law of the church in their own hand ... it undermines their own credibility as a leader and also undermines the integrity of the church as a whole.” — Jon Boger, a member of Rev. Frank Schaefer’s congregation, who filed a complaint with the United Methodist Church after Schaefer presided over his gay son’s wedding in 2007 in Pennsylvania. Schaefer was put on trial by the church and found guilty. He was sentenced to a 30-day suspension and must promise to not perform same-sex marriages or give up being a minister.

45 | That’s what she said: Melissa Carter

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Sales Manager: Marshall Graham mgraham@thegavoice.com Sales Executive: Anne Clarke The Clarke Agency aclarke@thegavoice.com

COLUMNIST

6 | WORLD AIDS DAY: METRO ATLANTA EVENTS

“I love the United Methodist Church. I’ve been a minister for almost 20 years and there are so many good things about the United Methodist Church except for that one rule.” — Rev. Schaefer, after being found guilty by the United Methodist Church for presiding over his son’s same-sex marriage.

“Liz — this isn’t just an issue on which we disagree, you’re just wrong — and on the wrong side of history.” —Mary Cheney responding on Facebook to her sister’s response on “Fox New Sunday” saying she opposed samesex marriage and that was an area where she and her sister disagreed. Liz Cheney is running for U.S. Senate in Wyoming.

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NEWS

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THE GEORGIA VOICE

6 | GA VOICE

NEWS

11.22.13

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World AIDS Day in Atlanta City, metro area organizations set aside time to remember past, plan for future By PATRICK SAUNDERS The AIDS epidemic erased a generation of gay men, and while the symptoms are easier to manage, the startling rate of infection proves that the work is not nearly done. Multiple organizations, schools, churches and more have a full slate of events planned throughout the metro Atlanta area to recognize World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. Team Friendly Atlanta is joining forces with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to present a candlelight vigil and remembrance on the Beltline on Dec. 1. “We’re two-and-ahalf decades into this and although it’s manageable and not a death sentence, it’s still a major problem,” says Randy Prophater, Chair of Team Friendly Atlanta, citing a recent study showing 28 percent of all new HIV infections in the U.S. occur in the South. Many area organizations are opening their doors for free HIV testing, including The MISTER Center and Cobb County Health. AID Atlanta has a week-long calendar of events planned, including free HIV testing, a candlelight vigil at Saint Mark United Methodist Church and a lunch and learn. Organizations aren’t ignoring the power of social media, either. AIDS. gov and the Greater Than AIDS campaign have designed World AIDS Day logos for people to upload to their social media proﬁles, and AID Atlanta is encouraging individuals, congregations and other organizations to commemorate the day by sharing pictures of their events and activities via Facebook and Twitter using the tag #Uand2. The tag is AID Atlanta’s theme for World AIDS Day this year, with the goal of encouraging the community to get tested, get education, support the cause ﬁnancially, and invite two others to participate with them. “The spotlight has moved away from the issue but the disease and the ways people get it are still exactly the same,” Prophater says. “It’s important to remember those that are in the early stages of it, but also those we’ve lost so we learn not to repeat it.”

METRO ATLANTA Free HIV Testing Nov. 30, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The MISTER Center 60 Eleventh St. www.mistercenter.org

Free HIV Testing Dec. 1, 9:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saint Mark United Methodist Church 781 Peachtree St. AID Atlanta #Uand2 Candlelight Vigil Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Saint Mark United Methodist Church 781 Peachtree St. AIDS Memorial Quilt Dec. 1 Central Congregational United Church of Christ 2676 Clairmont Rd. www.central-ucc.org World AIDS Day Memorial Quilt on the Quad Dec. 1 Emory University World AIDS Day Mass Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m. Holy Cross Catholic Church 3175 Hathaway Court, NE www.holycrossatlanta.org Candlelight Vigil & Remembrance Dec. 1, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. The Beltline between Monroe Ave. and the Old Fourth Ward *The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Team Friendly Atlanta are presenting this vigil and remembrance, where a prayer will be held and people will be given the opportunity to recognize those they have lost to the disease. Someone Cares Condom Distribution Drive Dec. 1, All Night Jungle Atlanta, Rain Nightclub & Lounge, Phase One, LeBuzz *Someone Cares Inc. of Atlanta’s HIV prevention outreach team will be distributing condoms and offering free HIV counseling and testing throughout the evening at these four nightclubs.

The AIDS Quilt on display in Piedmont park (File Photo)

AID Atlanta #Uand2 Free HIV Testing Dec. 2, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. AID Atlanta 1605 Peachtree St. *Special Incentives provided for the first 25 people who bring two people with them Free HIV Testing Dec. 2, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Cobb County Public Health 1650 County Services Pkwy., Marietta www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.com NAESM Testing Drive, Raffle & Giveaway Dec. 2, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Walmart 835 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. www.naesm.org/ Free HIV Testing Dec. 2, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. The MISTER Center 60 Eleventh St. www.mistercenter.org AID Atlanta #Uand2 Lunch and Learn – “HIV Update: A Reality Check” Dec. 2, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. AID Atlanta 1605 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309 *RSVP to Jenetter Lee (404-870-7784) or via email jenetter.lee@aidatlanta.org by Nov. 26 World AIDS Day Community Listening Session Dec. 2, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Ebenezer Baptist Church 400 Auburn Ave. www.historicebenezer.org

AID Atlanta #Uand2 Free HIV Testing Dec. 3, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. AID Atlanta 1605 Peachtree St. *Special Incentives provided for the first 25 people who bring two people with them AID Atlanta #Uand2 Free HIV Testing Dec. 4, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Morehouse College/Clark University Archer Hall 830 Westview Dr. AID Atlanta #Uand2 Free HIV Testing Dec. 4, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. AID Atlanta 1605 Peachtree St. *Special Incentives provided for the first 25 people who bring two people with them AID Atlanta #Uand2 Free HIV Testing Dec. 5, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. AID Atlanta, 1605 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309 *Special Incentives provided for the first 25 people who bring two people with them Annual World AIDS Day Ecumenical Prayer Service Dec. 5, 7 p.m. St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church 591 Flint River Road, Jonesboro, GA 30238 www.stphilipbenizi.org

8 | GA VOICE

NEWS

11.22.13

www.theGAVoice.com

If you’re POZ and thinking about signing up for Obamacare AIDS Policy director offers tips on how to proceed By JOHN PELLER October 1 marked a massive win for gay men and other men who have sex with men. Yes, we’re talking about the intersection of health insurance marketplaces and the LGBT community. Nearly 500,000 gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are living with HIV. This makes health care reform vital. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that gay men or other men who have sex with men comprise 56 percent of people living with HIV. Before Oct. 1, people with HIV were discriminated against in the private health insurance market because they were labeled with a pre-existing condition. With the opening of new insurance marketplaces, that practice has fallen to the wayside. Medicaid and comprehensive private coverage through health insurance marketplaces will revolutionize health care access for a major segment of the LGBT population: gay men and other men who have sex with men, who are living with HIV. But hold on. Seriously, wait. It’s tempting to jump into health reform and sign up for coverage. But if you have HIV, resist the urge to be among the first to enroll. That pivotal date in October was important, but it wasn’t paramount. Dec. 15 matters more. You must enroll in a health insurance plan by then to begin coverage the first day it’s available: Jan. 1, 2014. If you’re living with HIV, there are three things you need to get right when selecting a health plan: ADAP, medications, and providers.

ADAP

HIV is treatable, and people who receive treatment have an opportunity to live long, full, productive lives if they have adequate access to early, comprehensive treatment. But medications and doctors are expensive. Even with insurance, HIV medications can cost up to $300 a month. Many people who are living with HIV need ﬁnancial assistance from the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to afford life-saving medications now, and that will still be the case with

health reform. However, ADAP ofﬁcials in every state need time to review the new plans, which, like the general public, they received on October 1. Once they determine which ones they can cover ﬁnancially, your opportunity to select the best plan for you – at the lowest cost – greatly increases. Not every state ADAP will be able to cover health reform plans, so check with your state.

MEDICATIONS

When you examine potential plans, ask yourself: are my HIV medications and other prescription drugs covered, and how much will it cost to ﬁll them? People with HIV rarely have the option to switch medications, since drug regimens are individually tailored to each person’s particular strain of HIV. So make sure your drugs are covered by your new insurance plan and ﬁnd out if there are medical criteria you must meet before obtaining the drug. Many health plans list HIV medications as specialty drugs, meaning you may face high out-of-pocket costs to purchase them.

PROVIDERS

Make sure your health care providers are in-network for the plan you’re selecting. You have probably worked hard to ﬁnd providers that meet your needs, which translates to better HIV care. If your current providers are not in-network, your visit might not be covered at all, or you could face much higher costs to see them. Switching doctors jeopardizes your wellbeing and undermines the beneﬁt of being with a doctor you know and trust. Select a plan that includes a high number of your health care professionals in network, including your HIV doctor, other specialists, mental health or substance use providers, and pharmacists. As with every step in the human rights movement, ending discriminatory practices isn’t easy. We understand that enrolling in health insurance without facing judgment is a major victory for men with HIV in the LGBT community, but savor this win with patience. Make sure you get in the right plan when the time is right. Health reform can only improve your life if you enroll in the plan that’s best for you. John Peller is Vice President of Policy at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

RESOURCES Need help selecting a plan? Fortunately, a number of organizations across the country have received funding to help you enroll in a plan. Search for an enrollment helper in your area or find your own state’s marketplace. You can also contact a local AIDS services organization for assistance. In addition, you can find your state AIDS Drug Assistance Program and review the POZ Magazine health care reform guide.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET www.hivhealthreform.org Website targeted to people with HIV and services providers–to see when the yellow light turns to green. www.cdc.gov Available statistics on HIV infection rates for gay men and others. www.nastad.org/statedirectory.aspx Info on HIV/AIDS services and organizations in Georgia. www.poz.com Website for magazine with a myriad of details on the Affordable Care Act (ACA a.k.a Obamacare)

www.healthcare.gov Government sponsored site that will help you get detailed info on plans available for your needs. Although there continues to be some kinks in the website, GAVO was able to successfully navigate it and get various predicted expenses and plans available. www.greaterthan.org/obamacare/acaoverview/ Exactly what the name implies: an overview of ACA and what you can expect to pay.

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11.22.13

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11.22.13

NEWS

NEWSIN BRIEF PHILLIP RUSH CENTER SHOWS OFF RENOVATIONS, EXPANSION

The Phillip Rush Center, Atlanta’s own LGBT community center, opened up to the public to show off the new renovations and its large expansion space to the public. More than 100 people attended throughout the afternoon of Nov. 16 to peruse the changes that included more office space as well as an entirely new event space in a building located across the alley from the center’s administrative offices. A six-month plan for the Rush Center expansion was announced in April and since then volunteers and staff have renovated a new event space as well as a build out of the current facility on DeKalb Avenue. The Rush Center, named for longtime LGBT activist Phillip Rush, is a collaborative effort between Georgia Equality and the Health Initiative and is the home for numerous LGBT and progressive organizations as well as provides meeting space for such groups. AID Atlanta will have a new satellite office in the renovated space where HIV testing will be provided. There is also space for one full-time navigator who helps LGBT and other community members navigate the Affordable Care Act and sign up for healthcare. SOJOURN, formerly the Rainbow Center, an organization serving the Jewish LGBT community, is also a new addition to the Rush Center and will hold its official opening ceremony on Dec. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Other organizations with offices at the Rush Center include Atlanta Pride, In the Life Atlanta and Transgender Individuals Living Their Truth. Organizations that regularly meet at the Rush Center include JustUs ATL, the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition and Georgia Benefits Council. Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham and Health Initiative Executive Director Linda Ellis praised the efforts of the donors and volunteers who made the expansion possible. Doug Carl, a good friend of the late Phillip Rush, said Nov. 16 the center needed another $22,000 to finish off the last details and more than $17,000 was raised that afternoon. Donations are always accepted; visit www.rushcenteratl.org for more information.

LOST-N-FOUND YOUTH DROP-IN CENTER TO OPEN DEC. 2

Lost-N-Found Youth, a metro Atlanta helping LGBT homeless youth get immediately off the streets, plans to open a drop-in center on Dec. 2. The drop-in center will be located within the 13,000 square feet of space that houses the organization’s newly opened thrift and con-

www.theGAVoice.com ﬁll out paperwork to get identiﬁcation cards, use computers to search for jobs and to also be around other people, said Rick Westbrook, executive director of Lost-N-Found Youth. The organization is also in the midst of a $1 million capital campaign with hopes of breaking ground on a new shelter by the end of next year. The organization currently rents a home that provides six beds for homeless youth needing help to transition to a place of their own. For more information, visit www. lostnfoundyouth.org.

CITY OF ATLANTA WEBSITE LAUNCHES LGBT SECTION

Health Initiative Executive Director Linda Ellis (left), Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham and Doug Carl welcomed dozens of people to the grand re-opening of the Rush Center on Nov. 16. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

signment store located at 2585 Chantilly Drive, Atlanta, near Cheshire Bridge Road and Interstate 85 in Midtown. Lost-N-Found Youth, a volunteer-led organization, is hoping the thrift store will bring in approximately $100,000 annually. The group’s annual budget is currently $100,000 funded 80 percent by individual donations. “The LGBT community thrift store model has been very successful at fundraising for agencies in other states, such as California, and we strongly believe it will do well here,” said Lost-N-Found Youth Treasurer and thrift store chief financial officer Paul Swicord in a statement. “This has been a community effort, from the people who donated items, to the hundreds of hours of hard work by our volunteers, to help from our city officials.” Original plans were to have the thrift store open in July, but the group got bogged down in the permitting process. They turned to Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan for help. “I extend my congratulations to Lost-nFound Youth for reaching this milestone and, more importantly, my appreciation for the critical work that the group does for our community,” said Wan in a statement. “Helping to navigate the sometimes tricky waters of city permitting process was the least I could do for this very worthy cause, and I look forward to working closely with them going forward.” The thrift store will also offer job skills training to clients in need of experience. The drop-in center will provide a place for youth who are not ready to come off the street to get a hot meal, take a shower,

Ever wanted to know what exactly the city of Atlanta provides to its LGBT residents and services available? Well, thanks to a new web page on the city’s official government website, it’s a one-stop shop to find out. The City of Atlanta recently launched a web page on its official website devoted to services its provides to the LGBT community titled, “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Services, Employee Benefits and Legal Protections.” This is one of the moves made to announce the city’s support of LGBT residents after Mayor Kasim Reed hired in August lesbian city attorney Robin Shahar to be his LGBT Adviser. The web page lists the city’s legally-recognized domestic partner registry for city of Atlanta employees as well as residents. There’s also a link to the Atlanta Police Department’s “It Gets Better” video that features more than a dozen openly gay officers. The department also has two LGBT liaisons and the emails and phone numbers of those officers, Brian Sharp and Kristin Knight, are listed. An important resource is the newly revitalized Human Relations Commission. The only outlet for LGBT people to seek recourse when the allege they have been discriminated by, for example, businesses or housing within the city limits, the HRC went dormant for several years. A new board is currently being created so the HRC can soon begin meeting agains. Openly gay members appointed to the 7-member commission are Charlie Frew, executive director of Jerusalem House; and Rabbi Josh Lesser. Included on the website is a list of LGBT Atlanta employee benefits include: domestic partner health insurance coverage, domestic partner pension benefits and insurance coverage for gender reassignment surgery. Also included is a link to the city’s nondiscrimination laws. This section states, “All City of Atlanta non-discrimination laws prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, parental status, familial status, national origin, age and disability.”

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Nonprofit Abundance

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11.22.13

NEWS

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Baton Bob threatens legal action P against APD for DOMA day arrest Street performer says police violated his constitutional rights by DYANA BAGBY Infamous Atlanta street character Baton Bob is ready to sue the Atlanta Police Department, alleging his constitutional rights were violated after he was arrested in June and then coerced into making a Facebook post to his 5,000 fans that the police treated him well after he was taken into custody. Baton Bob, whose real name is Bob Jamerson, was arrested on June 26 at Colony Square in Midtown, hours after the historic ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down a major portion of the Defense of Marriage Act. He was charged with two counts of simple assault and one count of obstruction of a police officer. After the arrest and while in custody, Baton Bob, who is gay, was able to get on Facebook and send a message to his approximately 5,000 fans to say he was treated with respect by the APD. However, Baton Bob now says he was actually coerced by the APD to make the public statement. Criminal defense attorney Joshua Brownlee, who is straight, took the case on pro bono after reading about it in the media. He said he wants the city to either apologize and drop the charges against Baton Bob or face a civil lawsuit. “The police coerced him into making a Facebook statement while he was in custody. Nobody I know has ever seen anything like this before,” Brownlee said. He said this reminded him somewhat of what happened with the Atlanta Eagle raid in 2009 when officers busted into the gay bar and forced some 60 plaintiffs to the floor. The APD’s actions were found to be unconstitutional by a federal judge. “I think they still believe they think they can do a spit and polish to cover up a culture of corruption against the LGBT community,” Brownlee said. When asked for a comment, an APD spokesperson said the incident is currently being investigated. “Unfortunately I am unable to comment on this incident at this time as our Office of Professional Standards investigates these allegations,” said Sgt. Greg Lyon.

CONTROVERSIAL ARREST

A police report states Baton Bob was “disturbing” security guards at 1197 Peachtree St. on June 26. The alleged victims were two women security guards who complained to police that Baton Bob frequents Colony Square “and causes a dis-

Baton Bob, an infamous Atlanta street character, is threatening to sue the city of Atlanta alleging his constitutional rights were violated when he was forced to post to Facebook the Atlanta police treated him with him respect after he was arrested in June. (File photo)

turbance daily.” The police report goes on to state Baton Bob was at the corner of Peachtree Street NE and 14th Street NE “dancing and gyrating in a sexual manner on the city sidewalk blocking pedestrian traffic.” Then, when an Atlanta Police officer approached Baton Bob, the street character, well known for his salty language, said to him, “Fuck you, what’s this about,” states the report. Baton Bob scuffled with the officer and then, according to the report, he kicked the officer’s leg and attempted to kick him in the groin. After Baton Bob was finally cuffed, the report states he told the female security guards, “fuck you, bitch” and also called the the police officer a “black bitch,” the report states. The arresting officer, H.J. Davis, states in the report that Baton Bob soon had a complete change in demeanor and “continued to apologize and stated he was thankful for how respectful I was. When the suspect arrived at the precinct he was even more cooperative and continued to apologize.” While in custody at the precinct, Baton Bob posted to his Facebook fans that he was treated

with nothing but respect by the APD. “First of all, the atl police officer that responded to the incident thru security has been very respectful and gracious to me even in handcuffs ... I want to verify, that the Atlanta police was respectful to me considering the circumstances,” he posted. Two months later, in August, Baton Bob took to Facebook again and said he was coerced into making that Facebook post on June 26 while in custody. Baton Bob said he dictated to the arresting officer a post to his Facebook page. “I was taken to precinct #5, and put in a swivel chair in the lobby with my hands handcuffed behind me. The arresting officer came over and I asked him what I was charged with? He said, ‘this could have been different’. “Other officers came by and asked, ‘what is he doing here?’ One of the other officers in the precinct poked his head out and said, ‘the story is on the AJC’s website, already’; even before I was booked! the arresting officer had calmed down by now, and said there had been a lot of bad arrest in the past, and he asked me; if I would

make a statement on my Facebook page saying, they treated me, ok. I sat in that swivel chair, a black gay man, in costume with my hands handcuffed behind my back; and I surrendered. I didn’t want confrontation, I just wanted to regain some of the pride, that was taken; that day! Without my attorney, and without Miranda being read to me; I made a Facebook post to my 5000 fans, in the precinct, typed by the arresting officer, as I dictated to him; on his computer.” But many have grown skeptical of Baton Bob after a hateful Facebook rant on the Fourth of July against a “white lesbian bitch.” “I want say this, to the white Lesbian Bitch that rolled upon my ASS, about a friend of hers that wanted a photo in middle of my performance that ‘s suffering from Cancer, and I stated that, I don’t do posed photos in the middle of my performance;......became indignant to me !!!!!...... FUCK YOU BITCH!!!!....I said NO,..... and, I meant IT,...... BEACHICH!!......GET THE FUCK OVER IT!!!!!.... DON’T IMPOSE UPON ME,.....THAT WAY!!!!!.....ALL I”M SAYING!!” Brownlee said he understands why so many are upset with his client after that anti-gay and racist spiel. But, he added, that doesn’t excuse the Atlanta Police Department from allegedly violating his constitutional right to not say anything that may hurt his defense. “Part of my frustration is with media,” Brownlee said, who declined to allow Baton Bob to be interviewed in person for this story. “People have not paid attention [to] the civil liberty violations but instead to the controversial character. Whatever he has done, he didn’t deserve to be treated like that by the police,” Brownlee added. Police cannot coerce suspects to give up their Facebook password and confess to a crime on a personal page to 5,000 friends, Brownlee explained. Brownlee said he and Baton Bob want the APD to apologize and drop the charges or face legal action. Of course, when the Atlanta Eagle plaintiffs in 2009, represented by attorney Dan Grossman, asked for an apology rather than filing a lawsuit, Mayor Kasim Reed said no. That case resulted in the city paying out more than $3 million to the plaintiffs as well as an in-depth investigation into the police department’s actions, several officers being fired, an overhaul of the APD’s standard operating procedures — and, eventually, an apology by Reed to the first round of Eagle plaintiffs. “Our main objective is not money nor is it to destroy the APD. Our objective is to clear Bob of the criminal charges and ensure the APD understands they can’t violate constitutional civil liberties to cover up mistakes made by their officers,” Brownlee said.

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11.22.13

GA VOICE | 17

Patty Larkin goes Green on new disc Veteran singer and songwriter still fresh with latest release By GREGG SHAPIRO Out singer/songwriter Patty Larkin is rapidly approaching her 30th year as a recording artist. Her latest disc is the radiant and raw “Still Green” (Signature Sounds). An extraordinary guitarist, Larkin stretches the bounds of traditional folk, incorporating inﬂuences ranging from jazz to rock, with the occasional bit of programming thrown in (check out the loops on “Mando Drum” and “So Cold”). We spoke with Larkin shortly before the recent release of the disc. GAVO: On your previous album, 25, you were joined by a coterie of musical friends including Rosanne Cash, Shawn Colvin, Janis Ian, Catie Curtis and Dar Williams. Your new disc Still Green features guest appearances by Jonatha Brooke and Merrie Amsterburg. Can you please say something about the role these well-known musicians play in your life? LARKIN: All of the people who joined me on 25 were and still are people whom I admire greatly and whom I had worked with over the period of my career. Someone such as Jonatha Brooke, I just admire her work so greatly. She comes up with these really beautiful vocal ideas. I think she’s really creative. I’ve toured with Merrie Amsterburg and I’m a big fan of her music. I found (producer Mike Denneen) through Merrie, so there’s this whole Boston link. Birdsong At Morning, who performed on 25, can also be heard on Still Green. What do you like about working with this trio? Alan Williams is the main songwriter and lead vocalist for Birdsong At Morning. He and his wife Darleen Wilson are old friends of mine. Dar produced my second album in 1987 and is an old friend of my partner Bette’s. I’m emotionally close to them. In the liner notes for Still Green, you write that the songs were culled from “journals, digital recorders, cell phones, smartphones, scraps of paper, from memory and dreams.” Is this typical of your songwriting process? This is a new batch of songs. The last was 2008. That process was more, get up in the morning, go to my friend’s barn and write and put stuff down on my ProTools rig on my computer. For this one, my studio wasn’t up and running. A lot of it was on my cell phone and iPhone and digital recorder. These tools are great for putting down the ideas, but then you need to go back and listen to them once or twice a week so that you know where you’re at. I still haven’t culled all the ideas out.

Patty Larkin on life: ‘I cry almost every day with joy.’ (Publicity photo via Facebook)

Over the course of the disc you take the listener from grief in “Best of Intentions” to gratitude in “Because of This” – do you think that you wouldn’t have made the journey yourself if you hadn’t been able to turn these experiences into songs? No, I think the songs are a reﬂection of the journey. It’s very internal. There’s a reason why, in the Jewish tradition, that you have this service about a year afterwards, because I found that this whole year you’re still in mourning or it’s reminiscent of what happened a year ago or here’s a holiday and I can’t call. My dad died a year ago in September, but this time of year I still know what I was doing. I feel so fortunate to have the partner I have for 28 years now, and a family we started late in life [laughs]. I feel full of

emotion and joy. I told a friend of mine that I cry almost every day with joy. The beauty of these children and the companionship I have and how fragile life is. I’m seeing how my life can be as a writer and musician and then as a mother. You sing about coffee in “Mando Drum” and name check Starbucks in “New Hotel.” Is there something you’re trying to tell us? Those are two really different songs [laughs]. We had gotten to the tea point, the Earl Grey in the morning and maybe a little in the afternoon. Then we adopted our ﬁrst daughter [laughs] and it was back to the coffee. We try not to make it too strong. It’s deﬁnitely a lifestyle for me. The reference to Starbucks in “New Hotel” is somewhat ironic.

I was writing that song in a really beautiful ﬁeld and I wondered why was that hotel there, why that (highway) exit with nothing else. I just see the process, the exurbination of America. These little farm ﬁelds in Pennsylvania, or wherever I was, why here? You travel to Canada and you can go for a long time, like an hour, which by American standards is a long time on the road, without a gas station, without a McDonald’s or anything. And yet, when I do see the Starbucks sign in 10 or 15 miles, I’m going to wait [laughs]. I know there is at least some standard of excellence there. The song “Mando Drum,” that’s just something that I had the loop for, for years, and it was fun to be able to write lyrics for it. It was a fun thing to put together.

18 | GA VOICE

NEWS

11.22.13

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20 | GA VOICE

11.22.13

HOLIDAY RECOLLECTIONS

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Messin’ with my head on Thanksgiving A story of limas, peas and a nice little drawer to hide them in by DAVID AARON MOORE Growing up in a modest early 20th century house in my hometown back in N.C. meant one thing for sure — we weren’t the richest folks in town. Despite the fact we didn’t always have the money to get every toy I saw or the hottest new car on the market — we did have a large extended family that enjoyed spending time together. In the early years when my sisters and I were still kids, the family would visit my grandparents in Rutherfordton, N.C., (the natives just skip right over those three syllables in the middle and call it “Ruv-ton”) for the annual Thanksgiving dinner. My grandparents lived in a big old farm house that seemed like it was in the middle of nowhere. I can still recall riding up a dirt road from a state road to get to their long driveway. The minute the wheels of my dad’s Ford Falcon station wagon touched the drive a hoard of mixed-breed mutts would charge down to meet us, barking happily as if to announce to my grandparents that visitors had arrived. The same scene would play itself out again multiple times as aunts and uncles would arrive with cousins and other family members. By the time a crew of 25 or so had gathered, it was time to eat. My grandmother — who was very much the portrait of an elderly woman from the American ’30s (sturdy shoes, a house dress, small round frame glasses, gray hair in a bun) — emerged from the kitchen. Her face was wet with sweat from cooking over the hot stove and the resulting steam had caused multiple wisps of gray hair to loosen themselves from the otherwise tightly bobby-pinned bun. “Are you folks ready for some Thanksgiving Dinner?” She would ask in her warm, grandmotherly voice. Every year she would prepare the same thing: a ham, a turkey, endless selections of beans: peas, green beans, pinto beans and lima beans (beans were not a favorite of mine at this point in time — especially limas and green peas), stufﬁng, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce (jellied and shaped like a can), macaroni and cheese and baskets and baskets of dinner rolls. The adults would serve themselves and all gather at the large formal table in the dining room, while the children were served by my grandmother personally at smaller tables she had sat up in the den.

For the years I can recall, and before she became too frail for big family gatherings, this was the standard procedure. I would always end up at the same seat at the same little table. And it was always the table with the strange little drawer. So perfect for putting things in. So odd that I was always so carefully guided to that place. “You sit here,” she would say, pointing to the place I knew she would. Then she would place my two sisters and a cousin at the three other available seats around the small, square table. A few minutes later she would re-emerge from the kitchen, plates loaded up with all of the aforementioned items and invariably a heaping helping of limas or green peas. She always looked me directly in the eye and smiled whimsically as she placed the plate in front of me. “Be sure you eat all of that young man. You’re too skinny!” I’m not exactly sure when it all began, but at some point a few years prior — in an effort to escape the foul tasting limas or green peas — I had scooped the offending offering into

the tiny drawer in front of me. Somewhere along the way I think it became a game for my grandmother. I can only imagine the first time it happened she was horrified to find a drawer of cast off lima beans. At first she was probably unsure as to whom the culprit actually was — but after the second year, I’m sure it became obvious. Why would she place me at the same seat each year? The beans were always gone from the previous visit. There were never any moldy or petrified bipodal seeds to be found in the empty drawer. Clearly, someone must have cleaned them out. That someone could only have been her. I envisioned in my head the conversation she and my grandfather might have had the night before. “You know Bill and Dot will be down tomorrow with the kids?” She’d ask. “Yes. And a bunch of other screaming little monsters,” my grandfather would moan. “We’re getting a might too old for this, don’t you think?” “Don’t be silly,” she’d chuckle.

“Besides, I always get a bit of a laugh out of making that jumpy little boy of theirs put his lima beans in the drawer again.” Did she know? How could she not? Was she playing with me? Regrettably, I never found out the answer to the question. A few years later my grandfather died and shortly after that grandmother had a stroke — which landed her in a care facility. We went to visit her a few times, but she never really did seem to recognize any of the grandchildren. For the most part — I recall her as a quiet and serious, well-mannered woman. It’s difﬁcult for me to picture her playing head games for a chuckle. But it makes me laugh to think she probably had the same twisted sense of humor I do today. Every year around this time I can’t help but think of those days so long ago — and my grandmother: a little old woman who was messin’ with my head on Thanksgiving Day. David Aaron Moore is the editor of Georgia Voice.

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HOLIDAY RECOLLECTIONS

11.22.13

GA VOICE | 21

A time to remember, celebrate and be grateful Remembering efforts of Atlanta activists in the fight against AIDS By JEFF GRAHAM Like so many long-time Atlanta residents, one of my favorite Thanksgiving memories involves the lighting of the Rich’s Great Tree downtown. What makes my memory different from most, however, is that it’s also one of my favorite ACT UP/ Atlanta memories. In early 1991, ACT UP/New York staged a “Day of Desperation” with demonstrations throughout the city. Wanting to prove that we could do our own series of major actions, we decided to declare the period from Thanksgiving to World AIDS Day (December 1) as our own Days of Desperation. Over a four-day period, we held actions throughout the city to draw attention to the need for education, prevention measures, and research surrounding AIDS. On Thanksgiving Day, our team of activists ate an early dinner and then checked into an old hotel that was located near the Rich’s Department Store and the Five Points MARTA Station downtown. We had reserved a specific room that faced the Rich’s building under the pretense that we were a couple wanting to celebrate our anniversary in the room that had special significance for us. No one from the hotel staff seemed to notice that when we checked in we had no luggage, but did have a rather large spotlight… and an entourage of about a dozen people, many sporting black leather biker jackets. As the sun set and the crowds gathered (most of them sweet families from the suburbs) half of our team took to the streets handing out fliers and condoms. The fliers provided some startling statistics about the lack of medications, the need for housing, and the urgency of providing effective prevention messages. The goal was to remind those attending the festive event that somewhere in Atlanta and throughout the world, people were dying of a preventable disease that no one wanted to talk about. As the pre-show music began to play, those of us in the hotel room switched on the spotlight. Suddenly on the wall just beyond the Great Tree itself, the words: “STOP AIDS” appeared in giant block letters. We tried it first with a red filter, but only the stark white light could compete with the Christmas lights and gospel choirs. It was a good 45 minutes before hotel security, accompanied by two very angry women from the tree-lighting committee, appeared at the hotel door. When they told us we could

not shine the light out of the hotel room, I asked them to show me the hotel policy or city ordinance that prevented it. They were not amused. As the hotel staff and the Atlanta police desperately searched for some legal means of shutting us down, I debated the ﬁner points of the First Amendment with the very angry women. They insisted that a family-oriented holiday event was not the proper time to speak of AIDS. I countered that death did not take a holiday and that the real outrage was the lack of atten-

tion the growing epidemic was receiving in the press, by local ofﬁcials and by society at-large. They insisted I was patronizing and belligerent, I insisted that they were living a life of privilege if AIDS had not yet affected their families. Eventually the crowds began to dissipate and we agreed to turn out the light. Over the next three days, our other actions included the dropping of a half-dozen banners over local highway overpasses, the releasing of several balloon-supported banners at local

malls, and the release of a 15-foot by 40-foot banner at a Falcon’s football game. Our wily band of activists had done our best. Would Atlanta notice? The next week, the AJC ran an editorial denouncing our methods as childish, but urged local leaders to do more to ﬁght the epidemic. It was a Thanksgiving to be grateful for. Jeff Graham is the executive director of Georgia Equality.

22 | GA VOICE

11.22.13

HOLIDAY RECOLLECTIONS

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A cook comes out How a Thanksgiving dinner forced me to reveal a hidden secret By JOAN P. GARNER My partner Jane and I were in the third year of our relationship and celebrating our third Thanksgiving together. I am a pretty good cook, but few people know this. I try to keep that secret to myself. Jane, on the other hand, loves to cook and is an excellent baker. On our ﬁrst date, she actually brought food to my house and cooked dinner for me. Dinner was great, so Jane just kept on cooking...for the following three years. I was too happy to let her do most of the cooking since she enjoyed it so much. Why spoil the fun for her? On this particular Thanksgiving we invited members of my family to Atlanta from Washington, D.C., to visit for the weekend. This was exciting to us because we would host our very ﬁrst big family Thanksgiving dinner together. Of course Jane would take the lead since she did all of the cooking in our household. Jane’s routine on Thanksgiving Day was to run the Atlanta Track Club Marathon. This particular year Jane had initially signed up to run the half marathon. That would leave plenty of time for her to get home and cook. The day before the race when we went to pick up her running packet, Jane got caught up in the festivities of the running club and the thousands of other runners. Jane decid-

ed on the spot she would run the full marathon instead of the half. I saw how excited she was so I encouraged her to do so. Bright and early on Thanksgiving morning, I drove Jane to the starting line at about 5:30 a.m. We had our plan for where I would meet her along the route to encourage her and then meet her at the ﬁnish line. When I got back home my family was still asleep. The quiet time allowed me to think about the day. I realized that there was no way Jane would be home in time to cook Thanksgiving dinner. Moreover, she would be exhausted when she got home. I knew that a major dinner had to be cooked and I was going to have to cook it. I rolled up my sleeves and hauled the turkey out of the refrigerator and wrestled it into the pan. The bird and I both almost ended up on the ﬂoor. I communed with my former self, reached back into past life experiences to remember skills I had not used in decades, and came out of the closet as the once and future cook I can be. I spent the next few hours preparing a full Thanksgiving Day meal. It was time for me to pick up Jane. As expected, she was exhausted. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner was the last thing on her mind so I did not mention it to her. When we arrived home she was stunned to learn that I had prepared the entire meal myself. In fact, my entire family was surprised that I could cook! The meal was delicious, if I do say so myself, and everyone enjoyed it. My secret was out – and Jane gladly relinquished the responsibility of doing all the cooking in the household. Joan P. Garner is the Commissioner for Fulton County District 6.

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Patient model. Pill shown is not actual size.

What is COMPLERA? COMPLERA is a prescription HIV medicine that is used as a complete regimen to treat HIV-1 in adults who have never taken HIV medicines before and who have an amount of HIV in their blood (this is called “viral load”) that is no more than 100,000 copies/mL. COMPLERA contains 3 medicines – rilpivirine, emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. It is not known if COMPLERA is safe and effective in children under the age of 18 years. ®

COMPLERA® does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses you must keep taking COMPLERA. Avoid doing things that can spread HIV-1 to others: always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids; never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them, do not share personal items that may contain bodily fluids. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information you should know about COMPLERA? COMPLERA® can cause serious side effects: • Build-up of an acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include feeling very weak or tired, unusual (not normal) muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold, especially in your arms and legs, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat. • Serious liver problems. The liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and fatty (steatosis). Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice), dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored bowel movements (stools), loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach pain. • You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking COMPLERA for a long time. In some cases, these serious conditions have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you also have HBV and stop taking COMPLERA, your hepatitis may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking COMPLERA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health. COMPLERA is not approved for the treatment of HBV.

Who should not take COMPLERA? Do not take COMPLERA if you have ever taken other anti-HIV medicines. COMPLERA may change the effect of other medicines and may cause serious side effects. Your healthcare provider may change your other medicines or change their doses. Do not take COMPLERA if you also take these medicines: • anti-seizure medicines: carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol-XR, Teril, Epitol); oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenobarbital (Luminal), phenytoin (Dilantin, Dilantin-125, Phenytek) • anti-tuberculosis medicines: rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane, Rifadin) and rifapentine (Priftin) • proton pump inhibitors for stomach or intestinal problems: esomeprazole (Nexium, Vimovo), lansoprazole (Prevacid), dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole sodium (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex) • more than 1 dose of the steroid medicine dexamethasone or dexamethasone sodium phosphate • St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) If you are taking COMPLERA you should not take other HIV medicines or other medicines containing tenofovir (Viread, Truvada, Stribild or Atripla); other medicines containing emtricitabine or lamivudine (Emtriva, Combivir, Epivir, Epivir-HBV, Epzicom, Trizivir, Atripla, Stribild or Truvada); rilpivirine (Edurant) or adefovir (Hepsera). In addition, tell your healthcare provider if you are taking the following medications because they may interfere with how COMPLERA works and may cause side effects: • certain antacid medicines containing aluminum, magnesium hydroxide, or calcium carbonate (examples: Rolaids, TUMS). These medicines must be taken at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after COMPLERA. • medicines to block stomach acid including cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), or ranitidine HCL (Zantac). These medicines must be taken at least 12 hours before or 4 hours after COMPLERA. • any of these medicines: clarithromycin (Biaxin); erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE, Pediazole, Ilosone), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral) methadone (Dolophine); posaconazole (Noxifil), telithromycin (Ketek) or voriconazole (Vfend). • medicines that are eliminated by the kidneys like acyclovir (Zovirax), cidofovir (Vistide), ganciclovir (Cytovene IV, Vitrasert), valacyclovir (Valtrex) and valganciclovir (Valcyte).

COMPLERA.

A complete HIV treatment in only 1 pill a day. COMPLERA is for adults who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before and have no more than 100,000 copies/mL of virus in their blood.

Ask your healthcare provider if it’s the one for you.

These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take COMPLERA. Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking or plan to take.

The most common side effects reported with COMPLERA are trouble sleeping (insomnia), abnormal dreams, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, rash, tiredness, and depression. Some side effects also reported include vomiting, stomach pain or discomfort, skin discoloration (small spots or freckles) and pain.

Before taking COMPLERA, tell your healthcare provider if you: liver problems, including hepatitis B or C virus infection, or have abnormal liver tests • Have kidney problems • Have ever had a mental health problem • Have bone problems • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if COMPLERA can harm your unborn child • Are breastfeeding: Women with HIV should not breastfeed because they can pass HIV through their milk to the baby. Also, COMPLERA may pass through breast milk and could cause harm to the baby

This is not a complete list of side effects. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you notice any side effects while taking COMPLERA, and call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.

• Have

COMPLERA can cause additional serious side effects: or worsening kidney problems, including kidney failure. If you have had kidney problems, or take other medicines that may cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider may need to do regular blood tests. • Depression or mood changes. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms: feeling sad or hopeless, feeling anxious or restless, have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself. • Changes in liver enzymes: People who have had hepatitis B or C, or who have had changes in their liver function tests in the past may have an increased risk for liver problems while taking COMPLERA. Some people without prior liver disease may also be at risk. Your healthcare provider may need to check your liver enzymes before and during treatment with COMPLERA. • Bone problems can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. Bone problems include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do additional tests to check your bones. • Changes in body fat can happen in people taking HIV medicine. • Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider if you start having new symptoms after starting COMPLERA. • New

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Additional Information about taking COMPLERA:

• Always take COMPLERA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. • Take COMPLERA with a meal. Taking COMPLERA with a meal is important to help

get the right amount of medicine in your body. (A protein drink does not replace a meal).

Stay under the care of your healthcare provider during treatment with COMPLERA and see your healthcare provider regularly. Please see Brief Summary of full Prescribing Information with important warnings on the following pages.

Learn more at www.COMPLERA.com

30 | GA VOICE

11.22.13

GIFT GUIDE

www.theGAVoice.com

GIFT GUIDE

11.22.13

Featured local retailers Atlanta Water Gardens 2165 Cheshire Brifge Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324 www.atlantawatergardens.com

Charis Books & More 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 www.charisbooksandmore.com

Heliotrope 248 West Ponce De Leon Ave. Decatur, GA 30030 www.heliotropehome.com

Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30309 www.boynextdoor.biz

The Cook’s Warehouse • 4062 Peachtree Rd. Atlanta, GA 30319 • 1544 Piedmont Ave NE #403-R, Atlanta, GA 30324 www.cookswarehouse.com

Pet Set • 2480 Briarcliff Road #3, Atlanta, GA 30329 • 976 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309 www.thepetset.com

Brushstrokes 1510 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324 www.brushstrokes.us

GA VOICE | 29

30 | GA VOICE

11.22.13

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING

Book End Vases This bookend set is hand crafted from terra cotta with smooth color glazes. The four vases hold fresh or artiﬁcial ﬂoral stems. $45. Available at Heliotrope.

GIFT GUIDE

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home Let us like No place

Entertain you! Fun and games Great gifts for the party properfect for

decorating cozy castles

THE BEAUTY OF DECOUPAGE

Journey ticket frame Display a moment captured in time surrounded by historic art.$15. Available from Heliotrope.

ARTFUL STORAGE

Multi Colored Jute Petal Basket Artful 10” basket is woven from jute with vegetable dyes. Due to the handcrafted nature of this basket, no two are alike and come in a range of color combinations. $20. Available at Heliotrope.

LIGHT UP THE DARK

Himalayan Trading Co. Candle 32 oz. in a mercury glass hurricane container. 160 hour burn time. Mountain Forest, Orange Grove or Patchouli Genger $45. Available at Heliotrope.

A LOOK BACK IN TIME

Paris Antique Clock Mid-century modern design combined with elements of shabby chic. $80. Available at Heliotrope.

PRACTICAL WITH AVIAN STYLE

Bright Bird Coasters Square resin coasters with vibrant bird Imagery. $15. Available at Heliotrope.

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GIFT GUIDE

11.22.13

GA VOICE | 31

BEAUTY IN SIGHT AND SMELL

Scented candles From Voluspa. Feel your home with the scents of the season. $29.95 Available at Atlanta Water Gardens.

ble

OUTSIDER ART

Happy as a Bird with a French Fry

THE HAPPY BUDDHA

Classic Buddha Statue Suitable for indoor or outdoor usage. $144. Available at Atlanta Water Gardens.

DIVINE SWINE

Pig Planter Green glazed terra cotta. $15. Available at Heliotrope.

Canvas sign features imagery and text for a happy, comic wall decoration. 7x14. $25. Available at Heliotrope.

PICTURE THIS

Stoneware Frame Display your photos and artwork in style. $28. Available at Heliotrope.

DEEP IN THOUGHT

Meditation Statues Suitable for indoor and outdoor. Cat, happy waving cat, frog. $32. - $33. Available at Atlanta Water Gardens. CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

32 | GA VOICE

11.22.13

Tech toys for adults

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

PHONING HOME DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS HTC 1 Big hi res image. Extremely thin and fast. Chosen as the top new mobile device out of 20 by techrdar.com. Of course, all that equals up to pricey. What’d you expect? $600. Available on amazon.com and various mobile retail stores.

GIFT GUIDE

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THE BEST LITTLE BOOK

Touchscreen Ultrabook 2 in 1 The Asus Taichi Touchscreen Ultrabook is both a laptop and a tablet, with Intel top-level performance. Thin, ultra-light weight. Various models available. $589 - $1200. Available at Best Buy and multiple online computer retailers.

HEY, BIG SPENDER!

Google Glass Explorer Connects to the net via voice command, takes pics and shoots video of whatever you see, translates your voice into a variety of other languages and plays audio through a bone conduction device. Models for sale early next year: $200 - $1,500. If you’re ready to shell out big bucks now: $7,000.

A NEW WAY TO TELL TIME Kisai Console Wood Watch At first glance, it looks confusingly sci-fi, but after wearing the watch for a few hours, you’ll be able to read the time with ease. Plus, you’ll be extremely fashionable. $149. Available from tokyoflash.com

LIGHT UP THE PRESENT WITH A LOOK FROM THE PAST

Tetris Stackable Desk Lamp This stackable and interlocking lamp is inspired by the 1980s tile matching puzzle video game. It’s cool, fun, stylish, and, unlike everything else in this section, reasonably priced. $31.50. Available on amazon.com. CONTINUED ON PAGE 33

GIFT GUIDE

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Holiday

Entertaining

PLASTIC WARE GOES HIGH FASHION

Rednek Party Bucket Melamine red Solo cop shaped ice bucket. Perfect for all yer shindings to keep those beverages cold. $28. Available at Heliotrope. Red Plastic Wine Cups After your wine is chilled in the Rednek Party Bucket, keep the theme going with these matching plastic wine cups! $6.99 Available at The Cook’s Warehouse.

GET YOUR BEER OUTTA’ THE BIG HOUSE

Cuﬀ ’d Bottle Opener With this Gama Go Cuﬀ ’d bottle opener you’ll get your drink outta’ the clink in no time. $10. Available at Brushstrokes

ART IN A BOX

Directions for Santa This hand painted and crafted wooden box frame bears a speciﬁc message from the disgruntled sibling: Santa Leave Presents Take Sister. $10. Available at Heliotrope. CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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FOR YOUR INNER BEAR

Bear shot glass set In a recent poll by the mobile app Growlr, Atlanta was chosen as the top city out of 45 with the most bearish gay population. That means you’ll be lost without this four-piece set of bear shot glasses when you have your favorite furry buddies over for a drink or two. Down the hatch! $12. Available at Brushstrokes.

LINE ‘EM UP!

I Like Shots two-glass set Distinctive thumbs up and thumbs down artwork on glasses will let your bartender know when you’re ready for another or when you’ve decided to call it a night. $11. Available at Brushstrokes.

MAKE IT A DOUBLE

Whiskey Barrel Glass A glass with character from Gama Go. Distinctive, unusual and ready to be ﬁlled with your favorite whisky. $8. Available at Brushstrokes.

THE SOUTH’S GONNA RISE AGAIN

Rednek Beer Mug And you can raise your mug to the best example of the new south: Atlanta. Drink up Redneck-style! $15. Available at Heliotrope.

IT’S ALWAYS COCKTAIL HOUR SOMEWHERE

You Look like I Need a Drink Shaker Classic style drink shaker with a twist of humor. Best used during awkward moments to break the tension. The You Look like I Need a Drink Shaker is great for drinks and a laugh. $22. Available at Brushstrokes. Mason/Ball Jar style drink shaker A blend of shabby chic and retro styling, this shaker is another comedic but functional collector’s piece perfect for the adult beverage connoisseur. $29.99 Available at The Cook’s Warehouse.

BRING YOUR COOKIES TO LIFE

Cookie Cutter Set In Hebrew the phrase L’Chaim is often used as a drinking toast. In English it means “To Life!” If you’re entertaining for the holidays and want to add some life to your bakery treats, make sure you pick up this unique cookie cutter set. $8.99 Available at The Cook’s Warehouse.

GIFT GUIDE

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11.22.13

Fashionable

GA VOICE | 35

BUILDING A FIRM FOUNDATION

Ben Sherman Shoes Aberdeen Leather in Black and Brown, $126. Prentiss Brown, $126. Available at Boy Next Door Menswear

accessories

NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT STYLISH UNDERWEAR

Paul Smith Gold Band Underwear Now in multiple colors with the signature logo, skull and cross bones and gold band. $29. Available at Boy Next Door Menswear

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Terrific Thursdays December 5 • 12 • 19

IF YOU HAVE THE SHOES, YOU HAVE THE POWER Wizard of Oz Ruby Red Flip Flops One of 28 styles from the oﬃcial Wizard of Oz attire and accessories line developed by Warner Bros. Studios and Cafe Press. $17.99. Available from www.cafepress.com

great, glea ming, giftastic!

Just miles east of Atlanta

seasonal shopportunities Do your holiday shopping in the City of Decatur. Enjoy special in-store events, discounts and treats at Cook’s Warehouse, Worthmore Jewelers, The Pinewood Tippling Room and more than 25 other participating shops and restaurants during Terrific Thursdays.

p at Get th e in si dVeisscitoo ors C ente r ou r frie n dly 113 Clairemont Ave. visitdecaturgeorgia.com Decatur-ga voice-latenov2013_fnl.indd 1

C LO A L AP

Classic bracelet with interlocking rubber chains and signature charm. Available in two sizes and 12 color combinations. $23-28 . Available at www.rubbs.com.

A PLAYFUL TOUCH

E OV

Small Business Saturday and Sunday, too. Shop locally and enjoy free gift wrapping, giveaways, and Santa on the square, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. It’s time to get gifty! 11/15/13 1:01 PM

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The Last Decision You Make for Your Pet is Just as Important as the First. ❖ Same day service. No waiting. You can take your pet’s ashes home tonight. ❖ Each pet is cremated ALONE, guaranteed by our PetTracker360SM system, which ensures that you receive your pet’s ashes. ❖ State-of-the-Art facility where families can plan, grieve, and commemorate their pets.

MAIN LOCATION: Faithful Friends Campus

2800 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur, GA 30030

1591 Access Road Covington, GA 30016

404.370.6000 770.385.0222

“Family” Owned & Operated www.PawsWhiskersandWags.com

GIFT GUIDE

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ets P

love presents too!

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BUG EYED CRAZY DAWG

Pooch Googlies Yes, that’s what they’re called. Made of industrial strength, durable rubber, they’re fun as a chew toy that squeaks or great for toss and fetch. $20.38 Available at Pet Set.

GLAM UP YOUR FAVORITE FELINE OR COOL CANINE Fashion collars Leather embossed and crystal studded. Bring out the royalty in your furry friend. $30.99-$85.99. Available at Pet Set.

DRESS UP YOUR POOCH FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Antler and bell collar set This delightfully amusing and fuzzy antler and bell collar set will help you and your favorite pup ring in the holidays. 12.99 Available at Pet Set.

IT’S TUG O’WAR TIME Giraﬀe Dog Toy Made of high quality braided rope, it’s great bonding fun for pups and pals. $20. Available at Brushstrokes.

MAKE YOUR MARK

Pet Paw Ornament Maker Mix No muss, no fuss and oh so easy to make. Immortalize your pet’s paw print and hang it as an ornament on your Christmas tree for years to come. $16.95 Available at Pet Set. CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

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Gifts for Babies & Children CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

GIFT GUIDE

HAVE YOUR OWN PERSONAL FAIRY

Flutterbye Flying Fairy Watch her spread her wings and magically twirl and dance through the air just like many of your favorite Atlanta faeries! Comes in multiple colors and requires six AA batteries for operation. $28. Available from Amazon and multiple local department stores.

www.theGAVoice.com

THE WORLD WE LIVE ON

Mini Globe Attractive, educational and entertaining. $29. Available at Heliotrope.

EVERYONE’S FAVORITE FLYING SUPERHERO VEGETABLE

Superman Mr. Potatohead Look, in the sky! It’s a spud! Is it a yam or a tuber? No, it’s Superman Mr. Potatohead $20. Available at Brushstrokes.

WHO KNEW YOU COULD DO SO MUCH WITH FOOTWEAR?

Sock Monkey Remember how cute you thought these were when you were a kid? Children today still think so. Sock monkeys are simple, lovable and cuddly. $10- $20. Available on amazon.com and multiple department stores.

STORY TIME FUN FOR ALL KINDS OF FAMILIES

“Pecan Pie Baby” It hasn’t even been born yet, but everyone, even her friends, seem fixated on the new baby. Little Gia thinks things are fine just the way they are and she’s worried what’s going to happen with Mama once it’s born. $7.99 (paperback) “Mommy, Mama and Me” and “Daddy, Papa and Me” “Mommy, Mama, and Me” and “Daddy, Papa, and Me” are the first board books (extra durable for rough-housin’ tykes!) ever published for kids who live in two-mom and two-dad families. Both depict a fun-filled day in the life of a happy, loving family. $7.99 (board book) “Be Who You Are” Nick is a young child born male but sees himself as a girl. Even though his parents love and accept him, he faces challenges at school from other children who don’t understand. This book explores how a family and a school should work with a transgender child. $20.99 (paperback) All available at Charis Books and More.

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GIFT GUIDE

11.22.13

“From the Forest” The author explores ancient forests and the rich culture to be found in fairytales. Each chapter focuses on a diﬀerent story and a diﬀerent forest visit, with a unique analysis of famous stories including “Rapunzel,” “Hansel and Gretal,” “Snow White,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Rumplestiltskin” and “Sleeping Beauty.” $17.95 (paperback)

Stories make perfect gifts “In Bed with Gore Vidal” This biography interviews many of Vidal’s closest family and friends, including Claire Bloom and Susan Sarandon, as well as surveying Vidal’s own rich personal archive, to build a rounded portrait of who the revered American author truly was. $19.99 (paperback) “Blue Is the Warmest Color” The original novel depicting love shared between two women of different generations, which became the award-winning film, that captured the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and screened at Atlanta’s Out On Film festival. $19.95 (paperback) “Orange is the New Black” Piper Kerman’s memoir of her year spent in a women’s prison is the basis for the much praised Netflix series. $16. (paperback) All available from Charis Books and More.

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“Raising My Rainbow” Amusing and sometimes evocative story of a woman and her family’s adventures of distress and happiness raising a gendercreative son. $15. (paperback)

SEASONS of FA M I LY AT L A N TA G AY M E N ’S C HOR U S

THE 33 RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT Featuring the Atlanta Women’s Chorus

December 6, 8 PM December 7, 2 PM & 8 PM The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta

Tickets: $30 & up • agmchorus.org Sponsored by:

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Libby’s at the Express Libby Whittemore returns for the hoLidays! ring in the holiday season with Ho, Ho, Home for the Holidays and A Connie Sue Day Christmas, celebrating their 7th year at actor’s express.

DECEMBER 13 - 22, 2013

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

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.

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One Night Only!

Charles Busch featuring

tom Judson on Piano actor, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, director, drag legend... at actor’s express for one night only.

Friday, December 6 at 8:00 actors-express.com 404.607.SHOW Actor’s Express at the King Plow Arts Center fulton county arts & culture

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Theater for the holidays Metro Atlanta stages come alive with seasonal entertainment By JIM FARMER “The Santaland Diaries” will be back for its 15th year at Horizon Theatre. Based on gay writer David Sedaris’ own experience as a department store elf, as related in his “Holidays On Ice,” it has proven to be a gay favorite year after year. Here, the Sedaris ﬁgure is played by Harold M. Leaver, whose Crumpet character is forced to don the elf suit during the holidays one season when money is low. It’s not just as one-man show, though - Leaver’s co-stars are Enoch King, now in his sixth year, and LaLa Cochran, in her second, and they generate laughs as well. What started as a staged reading is now a holiday must-see, much to the creative team’s surprise. They all thought by the ﬁfth or sixth year it would be over. “We thought it may be close to saturation by that time but audience audiences keep increasing,” says Leaver. This year, he says, there is ample ammunition for pop culture references for the production - the government shutdown, Miley Cyrus, the IRS scandal, healthcare. As well, Leaver promises that Cher will be taking some time off from her “Dressed to Kill” tour for a visit. Onstage Atlanta is one of the busiest playhouses during the holidays. Lesbian director Cathe Hall Payne is involved in two productions. She is directing the musical “Sanders Family Christmas” and is involved in “Mary, Did You Know?,” which is a musical/comedy revue with an all gay/lesbian cast. The company also has the “2013 Merry Little Holiday Shorts” on tap. All shows are at Onstage’s new home in Decatur. Across town, the Atlanta Lyric Theatre is also staging “Sanders Family Christmas” at their new Cobb Civic Center home. The production uses the

By JIM

At but th party and s Th Toy P chang ‘The Santaland Diaries’ returns to the Horizon Theatre for Kid in its 15th year. (Publicity photo via Facebook) holid vices original cast of the beloved Theatre in the Square dren. version, including out performers Alan Kilpat- differ rick and JP Peterson. away Three seasons ago, a stage version of the be-the pr loved TV special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Rein- the fi deer” – the ultimate outsider wanting to be ac- test D cepted - opened during the holiday season at the stage Center for Puppetry Arts and became a hit. It’s lent a back as well this year and is terrific fare for chil- deals dren and adults. Ad Actor’s Express had gotten into the Christ- tion, mas spirit big time by bringing in Libby Whit- Ha temore, who will bring her cabaret-style act and has b alter ego, Connie Sue, to the company for “Ho, piece Ho, Home for the Holidays and a Connie Sue Day becau Christmas.” rema Other seasonal treats include “The Game’s Afoot” at Stage Door Players; Synchronicity’s “Peter Pan and Wendy;” “Christmas Canteen” at Aurora Theatre; “The Gifts of the Magi” by Theatrical Outfit; and the irreverent “Invasion: Christmas Carol” at Fabrefaction, presented by Dad’s Garage. A perennial favorite, “A Christmas Carol,” i’s back again this year in the Alliance Theatre’s loving version. Long a staple in the ATL, this outing is a significant one - lead actor Chris Kayser will no longer be playing Scrooge after this season. If you’ve not seen this, it’s the perfect year to do so.

DETAILS “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” Center for Puppetry Arts 1404 Spring St. NW Through Dec. 29 www.puppet.org “The Santaland Diaries” Horizon Theatre 1083 Austin Ave. Through Dec. 31 www.horizontheatre.com “The Gifts of the Magi” The Balzer Theatre 84 Luckie St. Nov. 27 – Dec. 22 www.theatricaloutfit.org

“Sanders Family Christmas” Onstage Atlanta 2969 East Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur Nov. 29 – Dec. 22 www.onstageatlanta.com “Christmas Canteen” Aurora Theatre 128 East Pike St., Lawrenceville Nov. 29 – Dec. 22 www.auroratheatre.com “Invasion: Christmas Carol” Fabrefaction Theatre 999 Brady Ave. Nov. 29 – Dec. 23 www.dadsgarage.com

“A Christmas Carol” Alliance Theatre 1280 Peachtree St. Nov. 29 – Dec. 29 www.alliancetheatre.org “The Game’s Afoot” Stage Door Players 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody Dec. 6 - 22 www.stagedoorplayers.net

Holiday and a Connie Sue Day Christmas!” Actor’s Express 887 W. Marietta St. Dec. 13 - 22 www.actorsexpress.com

“Sanders Family Christmas” Cobb Civic Center/ Jennie T. Anderson Theatre 548 S. Marietta Parkway, “Peter Pan and Wendy” Marietta 14th St. Playhouse Dec. 13 - 22 173 14th St. NE atlantalyrictheatre.com Dec. 6 - 29 www.synchrotheatre.com “Mary, Did You Know” Onstage Atlanta 2969 East Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur Dec. 18 www.onstageatlanta.com “Ho, Ho, Home for the

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

’Tis the season: HolHoliday events Atlanta’s LGBT community is ready to party By JIM FARMER

The king daddy of the holiday season is the Toy Party, now in its 11th year but with some changes this season. It is sponsored by For the Kid in All of Us with a goal this year to provide holiday toys for 5,000 children, receiving services from 21 Georgia non-profits serving children. “Every year we try to do a little something different for our guests without getting too far away from the central focus,” says Alison Hall, the president of For the Kid In All of Us, Inc. “For the first time, we will have two of Atlanta’s hottest DJs, Vicki Powell and DJ Sed, spinning center stage to keep the party going, and we have silent auction finds for everyone, from restaurant deals to one-of-a-kind vacation experiences.” Admission is a $20 toy, as well as a $5 donation, which began last year. Hall says the Toy Party and Silent Auction has been the traditional holiday season centerpiece for the community for years. “Not simply because it’s the largest party, but because it has remained true to its roots. Since its inception 11 years ago the mission has always been a simple one - to bridge communities to brighten the lives of Georgia’s children in need.” The Toy Party will

be held on Sunday, December 8, at Americas Mart downtownAmericas Mart downtown. DJ Vicki Powell and DJ SedA VIP experience is available which includes a private bar and a silent auction keepsake. Another big party will be the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s (AGLCC) Out in the Kitchen event, which combines a festive nature with food. According to Andria Towne, AGLCC’s vice president, it’s the biggest event sponsored by the chamber, save for their awards dinner in the fall. Out in the Kitchen was successful in its inaugural outing last year and will again feature bites at various chef stations. “The events we have throughout the year are more about business and networking; this is about socializing and fun,” she says. Two chefs have been conﬁrmed, Sean Shuter of the W Atlanta Midtown’s Spice Market (where the event is behind held) and Chef Patric Bell of The Barrelhouse. More chefs will be announced leading up to the December 12 event, says Towne. The Atlanta Executive Network (AEN) hosts its holiday party at the trendy new Henry’s on Dec. 5, blending socializing and a holiday rafﬂe giveaway. Both members of AEN and non-members will be in attendance. The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus will sponsor its

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MORE INFO AEN’s Annual Holiday Celebration Henry’s Midtown Tavern 132 Tenth St. Dec. 5, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. www.aen.org Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus’ Season of Family The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree St. Dec. 6 at 8 p.m., Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. www.agmchorus.org Bears Holiday Party Phillip Rush Center DeKalb Ave. Dec. 7, 7 – 9 p.m. www.southernbears.org

An entertainer performs at Toy Party 2012. (Publicity photo via Facebook)

annual holiday concert, its 33rd, titled “Seasons of Family,” on Dec. 6 and 7, while Atlanta Freedom Bands will stage their 20th anniversary “Holiday Spectacular” concert celebration Dec. 21. The concert will include all of AFB’s performing ensembles: the Concert Band, the Marching Band, the MetroGnomes Stage Band, and the Color Guard. Lovers of hairy men should check out the Southern Bears holiday party Dec. 7 at the Phillip Rush Center with food and drinks, while Will Pollock’s ARTVision 8, “The Promise of Peace: Art Innovating Life,” is an artist’s collaboration in Old Fourth Ward with artwork for sale proceeds

GA VOICE | 41

Toy Party Americas Mart Building 3 250 Spring St. Dec. 8, 5 – 9 p.m. www.forthekid.org AGLCC’s Out in the Kitchen W Atlanta Midtown 188 14th St. Dec. 12, 6 – 8 p.m. www.atlantagaychamber.org

ArtVision 8 Studioplex 659 Auburn Ave. Suite 131 Dec. 13, 7 - 10:00pm www.artvisionatl.org/ Charis Book’s Solstice Sale and Party Charis Books 1189 Euclid Ave. Dec. 21, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. www.charisbooksandmore. com Atlanta Freedom Bands’ “Holiday Spectacular” North Decatur Presbyterian Church 611 Medlock Rd., Decatur Dec. 21, 8 p.m. www.AtlantaFreedomBands.com Fourth Annual Glitter and Fur Party Takorea 818 Juniper St. Dec. 31, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. www.BedlamPresents.com

beneﬁt Positive Impact, on Dec. 13. Also part of the season is Charis Book’s Solstice Sale and Party (Dec. 21), which offers discounts on holiday goodies as well as free wrapping and cider and nibbles inside.

Event spotlight Publicity photo via Facebook

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FRIDAY, NOV. 22

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bout Tell us aBT event your LG ays to submit your

two w ur online There are lusion in o c in r fo t n it your LGBT eve ars. Subm ice. d n le a c t n Vvo and pri ww.theGA or@ w to fo in t even to edit ail details -m e r o m co e.com. theGAVoic

Bears Thanksgiving Dinner, a pot luck dinner with the Southern Bears club providing turkey and drinks. 7-9 p.m., The Phillip Rush Center, http://tinyurl.com/k2vad5j

Indies First Saturday with Pearl Cleage, Isabel Wilkerson and Fiona Zedde is part of a campaign by authors to give back to independent bookstores. The day will feature each of the listed authors speaking and sharing from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Charis Books & More. www.charisbooksandmore.com

Art show featuring the works of Tony Jackson from 7-9 p.m. at the MISTER Center, www.tonyjamesjackson.artspan.com, mistercenter.org The band Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who wrote a same-sex marriage anthem titled “Same Love,” perform at The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth. 7:30 p.m., gwinnett.arenaduluth.org

Photo by Dyana Bagby

It’s a 15th anniversary party, or Quinceañera, is being celebrated at Mary’s in East Atlanta. DJ Headmaster will be spinning Mary’s greatest hits from over the years. People are asked to come dressed in tacky pink dresses or prom wear. Señorita Karma will give a special QueenCeñara performance. 9 p.m., www.marysatlanta.com

THURSDAY, DEC. 5

Publicity photo via Facebook

Atlanta’s Sister of Perpetual Indulgence Night at Woofs this evening includes a coat collection and food drive. The coat collection will be for homeless LGBT youths helped by Lost-N-Found and the food going to Open Hand food drive, 7 p.m., http://on.fb.me/1aKEMHZ

The Atlanta Bucks’ Miss Ruck-N-Maul: Down Under features hostess Ruby Redd and DJ Pat Scott. More contestants than ever are competing for the title. The Bucks are partnering with Lost -N- Found with a portion of the proceeds going to help homeless LGBT youth. http://on.fb.me/17zDEXC

LeatherUNITED, a new community event to bring together leather people to celebrate what they love, holds its first event at the Atlanta Eagle, 9:30 p.m., www.atlantaeagle.com Helping Hands, organized by gay Atlanta promoter Barry Brandon, is a fundraiser for those impacted by the hurricane in the Philippines. A portion of bar sales and donation collected at the door will go to a non-profit yet to be announced. LGBT performances by artists including Nicole Paige Brooks, J. Tyler, Ella/saurus/REX, River Song-Red, Mo’Dest Volgare. 10 p.m., 10th & Piedmont, http://on.fb.me/18ecsBE Customer Appreciation Friday at LeBuzz in Marietta. Envy Van Michaels hosts the Crazy, Sexy, Cool Show with special guests. DJ Birdman USA spins after the show. 11 p.m., www.thenewlebuzz.com Every Friday is Fur Friday at the Heretic. This week with DJ Sean Mac. 10 p.m., www.hereticatlanta.com

SATURDAY, NOV. 23

“Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band” moonwalks onto the Variety Playhouse stage. Tickets $20 or $22.50 day of show. Doors open at 7:30p.m., show starts at 8:30 p.m. www.variety-playhouse.com

SATURDAY NOV. 23 & SUNDAY NOV. 24

A “Sordid Soiree” starring Leslie Jordan and Del Shores to benefit AID Atlanta features the duo sharing stand-up comedy and stories on Nov. 23. Tickets are $125 for VIP, $75 for preferred sitting and $50 for orchestra seating. 7 p.m. at the 14th Street Playhouse. Contact Anna Leary at anna.leary@aidatlanta.org or at 404-870-7706 for any questions, www.aidatlanta.org. Then, on Sunday, Nov. 24, enjoy more stories with the duo at Lips Atlanta during its Gospel Brunch. 12:30 p.m., www.aidatlanta.org/gospelbrunch

Publicity photo

SATURDAY NOV. 30

SATURDAY, DEC. 7

BEST BETS CALENDAR

42 | GA VOICE 11.22.13

SOMETHING GAY EVERY DAY! Bookmark www.thegavoice.com to get your daily dose of local LGBT events.

Shaun Daniels and My Sister’s Room present the ’80s vs. ’90s party featuring Tiff Nay, Preston Dickerson, Mica Ro and Winter Valentine. The party also celebrates DJ Liz Owens birthday. www.mysistersroom.com The Divas Cabaret starring Destiny Brooks, Heather Daniels, Iysis Dupree, Kitty Love and special guests. 11 p.m., www.thenewlebuzz.com

TUESDAY, NOV. 26

Fourth Tuesday holds a Thanksgiving party 6-9 p.m., Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft, http://thehealthinitiative.org/programs-resources/programming/fourth-tuesday/ Singer/songwriter Sonia Leigh performs with Brooke Eden at Eddie’s Attic at 8 p.m., www.eddiesattic.com

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 27

Blackout Party at the new LeBuzz. 9 p.m., www.thenewlebuzz.com

The annual pre-Thanksgiving Eve party is a highlight of the season again, a time to get some heavy cardio in on the dance floor with international songwriter and music producer Sin Morera. An opening set is by DJ Mike Pope. This is a social benefit evening for Joining Hearts. Doors open at 9 p.m., Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

FRIDAY, NOV. 29

Swank, the party for women who love women (and guys, too!), holds a Thanksgiving celebration party for the day after Thanksgiving. Featuring VJ Prism. 9 p.m. at 10th & Piedmont. http://on.fb.me/180nEUB The M4M Hardbody Revue is a new weekly contest on Fridays. Men compete for $100 in cash in categories such as stripper pole and model. 11 p.m., LeBuzz, www.thenewlebuzz.com

CALENDAR

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SATURDAY, NOV. 30

Songwriters In-the-Round with Caroline Aiken, Michelle Malone, Dede Vogt and special guest Danielle Howle. 7:30 p.m., Red Clay Theatre, www.eddieowenpresents.com Early Country with free line dance lessons from 8-9 p.m. Heretic. www.hereticatlanta.com Divas of the A Thanksgiving Black Party for LGBT women hosted by Mook DaHost Thomas featuring exotic dancers and DJs Silver Knight and Feel X. Visit www. divasofthea.com/ for ticket prices. 10 p.m., Center Stage “The Loft,” www.centerstage-atlanta.com

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11

The annual Christmas carols sing-a-long at Blake’s on the Park features Dan Lax on keyboards. Complimentary food. 8 p.m., www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com/

SUNDAY, DEC. 1

Join The Atlanta Sisters and Team Friendly Atlanta for a candlelight vigil at the Historic Old 4th Ward Park on the Beltline to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. This will be a chance to remembers those in our lives that have been effected and those that love them. 6-7 p.m., http://on.fb.me/HZdgAF Grammy winner Kristian Bush, one-half of the hit band Sugarland, performs two concerts at Eddie’s Attic with special guests, at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $32 at the door. www.eddiesattic.com

Jennifer Knapp and Margaret Becker perform a Christmas Show. 7:30 p.m., Red rty is Clay Theatre, o get www.eddieowenspresents.com with Grammy-award winner Kanye West, known DJ for his legendary live shows, brings his Yeezus ng Tour to Philips Arena. 8 p.m. Tickets range m., from $39.50-$150. www.philipsarena.com

MONDAY, DEC. 2

Encore performance with Kristian Bush and special guests. 8 p.m. www.eddiesattic.com

sTHURSDAY, DEC. 5 er . at Join AEN for the annual Year End Holiday EUB Celebration. Bring a new unwrapped toy for the toy drive. There will also be a raffle giveaway. Holiday Special admission is just $10 for kly guests or included in your AEN membership. 00 in Parking is available with $5 overflow parkand ing nearby. Complimentary light bites will be provided. 6:30-9:30 p.m., Henry’s Midtown Tavern, www.aen.org

File photo

Publicity photo

LovHer Thanksgiving celebration with sounds by MJQ Resident Dj Majestik Aka Skenny Kravitz & LovHer resident LilBad AzzDj E. 2 for 1 entry before midnight, $10 all night, Takora, 10:30 p.m. at Takorea, www.LovHerAtl.com

SATURDAY, DEC. 7

SEC Championship Charity Bust hosted by LGBT bowling league Dixie Invitational Bowling Tournament. Money raised will go to charities. 4 p.m. at The Hideway. http://on.fb.me/HSAPuh Atlanta’s Every Womyn hosts its Taste of Christmas Charity Dinner and Show fundraiser for Lift Up Atlanta. The party includes savory and sweet treats from local restaurants and catering companies. There will also be music, entertainment and a silent auction. $12 for advance tickets, $18 at the door. 6-9 p.m. at UUCA - Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.eventbrite.com/event/8980530007 Southern Bears hold its holiday party from 7-9 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center. http://on.fb.me/18F7x9n

SUNDAY, DEC. 8

The 11th annual Toy Party sponsored by For the Kid in All of Us includes performance artists with DJ Vicki Powell and DJ Sed. General admission is a new unwrapped toy valued at $20 or more plus a $5 cash donation. There is a VIP experience and also the Ultra Lounge. This holiday cocktail party includes a massive silent auction. 5-9 p.m., America’s Mart Building 3, www.forthekid.org

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BEST BETS 44 | GA VOICE 11.22.13

Dar Williams in concert for a 6 p.m. show and 9 p.m. show. www.eddieowenpresents.com

MONDAY, DEC. 9

The weekly Stars of the Century drag show begins at 10:30 p.m. at Jungle Atlanta. www.jungleatl.com

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11

Edward Austin Hall and Bill Campbell, co-editors of Mothership: Tales from Afrofuturism and Beyond, discuss multiculturalism, diversity, and characters of color in genre fiction. This is a Charis Circle From Margin to Center Literary Event. The suggested donation is $5. 7:30-9 p.m. at Charis Books and More. www.chariscircle.org

FRIDAY, DEC. 13

Paparazzi featuring the work of photographer Jon Dean. 10 p.m. at 10th & Piedmont. http://on.fb.me/1gVdHKH

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Traxx Girls presents the Showtime edition of Banjee Girl with exotic dancer Juice Box performing. www.mysistersroom.com

SATURDAY, DEC. 14

The Feminist Women’s Health Center hosts a night for people to share why feminism is needed, by telling stories, reading poems or manifestas and more. Featured performers by Tawny Powell and Akua Taylor. $5 suggested donation to go to Charis Circle. 7-9:30 p.m., Charis Books & More. http://on.fb.me/1ay4SkT Due to popular demand, P!NK has extender her Truth About Love Tour with a stop in Atlanta. 8 p.m. at Philips Arena. Tickets range from $39.50-$125. www.philipsarena.com

SATURDAY, NOV. 23

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CALENDAR

Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, aka the Beekman Boys, winners of the Amazing Race and owners of the Beekman 1802 farmhouse and business, come to Atlanta to sign copies of their new book, “Heirloom Dessert.” In the morning they will be at Morningside Farmer’s Market and then from 1-3 p.m. will be at The Cook’s Warehouse for an instructing class, http://bit.ly/1fKu8X5

SUNDAY, DEC. 15

Wish List is a fundraiser for Joining Hearts that also raises awareness for the organization’s beneficiaries. Entry to the event is either a gift purchased from the 2013 Wish List for Jerusalem House and/or a gift card for a young adult at AID Atlanta ($25 minimum

value for either option). Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served and complimentary specialty cocktails will be poured by our wonderful Joining Hearts bartenders. 6-9 p.m., www.joininghearts.org

Create Love! For Women Who Love Women hosts an evening of mixing and mingling. There will be erotic spoken word and wine. 7-10 p.m., http://on.fb.me/17zH5NX

Fa ba sh

COLUMNISTS

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MELISSA CARTER

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID Advocating for Thanksgiving Family time, or bargain basement shopping sprees? Thanksgiving. It’s a time when we make hand turkeys and enjoy cranberry sauce and pecan pie in honor of the feast between 50 pilgrims and 90 Native Americans back in 1621. It is supposed to serve as a reminder for us to give thanks for the bounties we have in our lives, including the food and our families. But it looks like we may soon create a different Thanksgiving story, because many people this holiday will have to forgo the turkey and dressing and work retail on Thanksgiving Day. You’ve seen the ads, with stores now giving you the option of coming in on Thursday to get low, low prices. While that news may send the coupon-clippers who camp out hours before the doors open into a frenzy, I’m sure the new schedule is disappointing to the families of those who actually have to check these crazy shoppers out. Now they have to prepare all the trimmings, clear off that dusty table, and coordinate travel arrangements for a Thanksgiving lunch in order to accommodate the poor souls who have to report to work that afternoon. I’ve even heard some families debate whether they would gather at all, since half the table will leave to go to the mall anyway. “Thanksgiving” is an American holiday. For us to be represented on that day by people trampling over each other to save $10 is embarrassing. As an advocate for celebrating each holiday individually, the fact that we are rearranging Thanksgiving Day to make room for Christmas discounts makes me sick. Fortunately I am not alone in my frustration at our country’s greed. Jodie Ferguson is an assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s business school. She recently told the LA Times that retailers need to tread carefully into the arena of opening for business on Thanksgiving, since consumers on social media won’t hesitate to voice their displeasure.

Melissa Carter is currently one of the Morning Show hosts on B98.5. In addition, she is a writer for Huffington Post. She is recognized as one of the first out radio personalities in Atlanta and one of only a few in the country. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCarter

“In the past, brick-and-mortar stores had stayed away from opening during the day,” she said. “If retailers engage in a practice that’s not common, consumers might deem that action as unfair.” There’s even a Facebook group titled, “Say No to Shopping on Thanksgiving,” that has over 40,000 members. Their mission statement: “Show retailers you care more for family and friends. Stay home on Thanksgiving with your family.” Not every retailer is getting caught up in the hype. Two stores, Costco and Nordstrom, vowed this week to leave Thanksgiving alone and stay closed on Thanksgiving Day. Paul Latham is a vice president at Costco, and told the Hufﬁngton Post, “Our employees work especially hard during the holiday season, and we simply believe that they deserve the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with their families.” Here’s a friendly reminder for those of us who celebrate their stance, don’t forget to spend your money with them as a thank you every other day of the year. There is the argument stores wouldn’t open if customers didn’t show up, and that we as a society are dictating this new trend to non-stop shop. According to research ﬁrm ShopperTrak, sales on Thanksgiving were $810 million last year, an increase of 55 percent from the previous year. A spokeswoman for Best Buy, which will be open on Thanksgiving Day, told the Dallas Morning News, “Customers clearly showed that they wanted to be out shopping much earlier on Thanksgiving. Our plan this holiday is a direct result of that feedback.” We’ll see if this trend continues in the years to come. But it is a shame we no longer have time to go over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house.

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