YOU MATTER AND SO DOES YOUR HEALTH
That’s why starting and staying on HIV-1 treatment is so important.
What is DESCOVY ?
What are the other possible side effects of DESCOVY?
DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. DESCOVY combines 2 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day. Because DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1, it must be used together with other HIV-1 medicines.
Serious side effects of DESCOVY may also include:
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DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking DESCOVY. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing 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.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about DESCOVY? DESCOVY may cause serious side effects: •
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Buildup 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 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.
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Changes in body fat, which can happen in people taking HIV-1 medicines. Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking DESCOVY. Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking DESCOVY if you develop new or worse kidney problems. Bone problems, such as bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.
The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking DESCOVY? •
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Serious liver problems. The liver may become large and fatty. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turning yellow (jaundice); dark “tea-colored” urine; lightcolored bowel movements (stools); loss of appetite; nausea; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area.
All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. All the medicines you take, including prescription and overthe-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how DESCOVY works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take DESCOVY with all of your other medicines. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if DESCOVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking DESCOVY.
You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking DESCOVY for a long time. In some cases, lactic acidosis and serious liver problems have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions.
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Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.
Please see Important Facts about DESCOVY, including important warnings, on the following page.
Ask your healthcare provider if an HIV-1 treatment that contains DESCOVY® is right for you.
IMPORTANT FACTS (des-KOH-vee)
This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DESCOVY
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF DESCOVY
DESCOVY may cause serious side effects, including:
DESCOVY can cause serious side effects, including:
• Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: feeling very weak or tired, unusual 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.
• Those in the “Most Important Information About DESCOVY” section. • Changes in body fat. • Changes in your immune system. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems.
• Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark “tea-colored” urine; loss of appetite; light-colored bowel movements (stools); nausea; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking DESCOVY. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.
You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking DESCOVY or a similar medicine for a long time.
ABOUT DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others.
The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea.
These are not all the possible side effects of DESCOVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking DESCOVY. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with DESCOVY.
BEFORE TAKING DESCOVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical condition. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with DESCOVY.
GET MORE INFORMATION HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine that is taken with other HIV-1 medicines. • Take DESCOVY with or without food.
• This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. • Go to DESCOVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit DESCOVY.com for program information.
DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0019 11/16
GEORGIANEWS
Georgia State’s gay fraternity fostering brotherhood on campus Delta Lambda Phi at GSU one of 35 chapters, colonies across country By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com 19-year-old Georgia State University sophomore Casey Meyer was hanging out in the meeting room for the school’s Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity this past January when he was approached by a fellow student named Chris Heraghty. Would he be interested in joining the school’s gay fraternity? “My first thought was astonishment and pure excitement because I had no idea that a gay fraternity could be or was a thing,” Meyer says. Indeed it was and is a thing as of 2013, when the first class (or “alpha class”) of national gay fraternity Delta Lambda Phi started at Georgia State. Meyer ended up joining Heraghty in the fraternity, which might seem like a new concept to many but actually has a history going back 30 years. Idea spreads from D.C. to across the country Delta Lambda Phi was founded in 1986 by Vernon L. Strickland III and three other men well beyond their college years who expressed regret at the limited opportunities for social engagement available to gay men at the time. The social groups that did exist suffered from internal division or were focused on little more than sex, they said. So why not create a progressive social fraternity based on the collegiate model? They did, and by the next year had recruited their first Delta Lambda Phi pledge class, eventually initiating 24 men into full brotherhood in Washington, D.C. that April. The idea spread to cities and college campuses around the country, and there are now 35 Delta Lambda Phi chapters and colonies across the country, including three chapters in Florida, a colony at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and the colony at Georgia State. But wait, “colony?” The difference between a chapter and a colony is that fraternity chapters have certain secrets (i.e. values and ideas of the fraternity) and rituals (like how pledges are inducted, or how pledges become brothers) that colonies aren’t privy to yet, explains Chris Bass, president of www.thegeorgiavoice.com
Members of Georgia State University’s gay fraternity Delta Lambda Phi march in October’s Atlanta Pride parade. (File photo)
“My first thought was astonishment and pure excitement because I had no idea that a gay fraternity could be or was a thing.” —Georgia State University freshman Casey Meyer, a brother at Delta Lambda Phi the Delta Lambda Phi colony at Georgia State. Bass, a 21-year-old senior, joined Delta Lambda Phi as part of that alpha class that formed at Georgia State in 2013. “I had come from a very conservative neighborhood in West Cobb,” he says. “I wanted to branch out. I wanted to do what you’re supposed to do in college: learn about yourself, learn new things. I knew I was gay and I felt like this was a great opportunity to meet gay people without fear of relationship stress.” So relationships among fraternity members are frowned upon? “It’s not frowned upon,” he explains. “You just have to be adult about it. You have to put the brotherhood first.” Other fraternities on campus ‘very much accepting’ Delta Lambda Phi operates like any other fraternity on campus, with a mix of social events and community service projects (most of which are currently done with Open Hand Atlanta, but Bass says they’re looking to get
involved with Lost-n-Found Youth too). And they are part of the school’s Interfraternity Council (IFC), a group of five established and active fraternities on Georgia State’s campus. Knowing the stereotypes about some fraternities, are there any sideways glances at the gay fraternity during IFC meetings? “It’s kind of funny. They actually very much are accepting of us, which was refreshing because we were afraid it wasn’t going to happen,” Bass says. “They see us as their equals. Even though we’re not part of their specific Greek organization, we are all brothers in their eyes. They always include us in stuff and they always support us when we include them in our stuff.” From colony to chapter and more The brothers of the colony at Delta Lambda Phi are in the process of raising the $900 fee they need to submit a chartering packet by Dec. 1 in the hopes of becoming a chapter. And while they don’t have a fraternity house on campus (not rare for a commuter school like Georgia State), they do hope to in the future.
Meanwhile, they’ll continue to recruit more members beyond the seven they have now—and that recruitment is partly focused on those who wouldn’t consider themselves the “typical” frat boy. “We’re reaching out as part of our specific colony to people who wouldn’t normally join a fraternity,” Bass says. “That’s what a lot of us are in this colony are people who normally wouldn’t join a fraternity but when we heard about a gay one, that’s when we got interested.” The freshman Meyer was one such student. He says he was recruited by several other fraternities when he arrived on campus but wasn’t interested—that was until Heraghty walked through the door that day in January. “Before joining, I’d never really been a part of the gay community and it’s something that I’ve always desired because I’ve felt very sheltered for most of my life in regards to the ‘big gay world,’” Meyer says. “So it was like the doorway to all of that—having older gay men understand me and who could mentor me and guide me and be a role model.” November 11, 2016 News 5
TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
National Trans Health Conference returns to Atlanta for fourth year Details
Presentations, workshops lined up to educate medical professionals on treating trans patients
2016 National Trans Health Conference November 17-19, 2016 Sheraton Atlanta Hotel 165 Courtland St. NE Atlanta, GA 30303 www.someonecaresatl.org
By DALLAS DUNCAN Ronnie Bass is on a mission. He wants to remind the world that transgender lives are not invisible. They matter, and so should their health. That’s the theme of this year’s National Trans Health Conference, the fourth annual meeting to educate medical professionals on treating transgender patients — both with prescriptions and as human beings. “People who have interactions with transgenders on a daily basis: doctors, nurses, case managers; someone who’s a receptionist at Fulton County Public Health Department, that’s someone who needs to be trained on how to address a transgender person,” said Bass, founder and executive director of Someone Cares, Inc., the Atlanta-based organization in charge of the conference. “If I go to Fulton County Public Health Department and the first person is the receptionist and she says, ‘How can I help you sir?’ and I’m clearly dressed as a woman, that’s going to be a big turnoff.” Kayleigh Fitzpatrick, a transgender University of Georgia graduate now pursuing nursing in Arizona, knows the feeling. She believes there is an exclusionary culture, especially for post-operational transgender individuals. Several months after her operation, she had three different hospital stays for serious infections. “The first couple of visits, my care was incredibly sub-par. The staff OB/GYN refused to see me based on my medical history,” she said. “The doctors … hid behind the veil of, ‘I don’t know anything about this,’ when in reality I’m no different than thousands of women who have had hysterectomies.” Situations like Fitzpatrick’s are why Bass wants attendees to get just one thing out of the conference. “Just one word: respect!” he said. “You might not like me, but I have to come to you. So when I come into that environment, I don’t want your staff to treat me like some Martian.”
Attendees at the 2015 National Trans Health Conference. This year’s event will be held Nov. 17-19 at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel. (Photo courtesy Someone Cares)
“Better services, better legal protections, better advocacy for the community, better health outcomes for the trans community. The possibilities of improving all of those are what this conference is about: giving people the desire to want to go out and do their part to improve them.” —Jesse Milan, Jr., keynote speaker of the 2016 National Trans Health Conference Presentations, workshops, networking events lined up Attendees at the conference will choose a track of abstract presentations and workshops with topics like transgender health, HIV and HCV co-infection, cultural competency, what to expect from healthcare providers beyond the prescription, psychological health and more. There will be networking events and a screening of the movie “MAJOR!” In between workshop sessions, the entire group will gather together for keynote speeches. Jesse Milan Jr., interim president and chief executive officer of Washington, D.C.based AIDS United, is the keynote speaker on Friday, Nov. 17. He plans to address issues of leadership by and for the transgender community, and how taking on leadership roles can help the community reach a goal of no more HIV infections and no more AIDS.
“There is something provocative about the term ‘LGBT.’ That ‘T’ is always last. We never say ‘TGBL,’” he said. “It’s important for us to shed light on the trans community because the entire HIV/AIDS community includes them in both at-risk populations [and] affected populations. We cannot allow the trans community to be an afterthought.” That’s going to take an “if I don’t do it, who will?” mentality, Milan said. Milan said often people think of leadership in terms of who has a title and who’s in charge of policy-making, but neither are requirements to making a difference. “You don’t have to wait for the case manager or the doctor to say to that person, ‘You really need to have an HIV test.’ If you’re waiting for someone else to take that lead, then you may be missing an opportunity to help save a life,” he said.
‘This is a medical condition’ For the medical professionals in attendance, Milan believes they can lead by helping colleagues understand how important transgender health is. “If we only go back and improve our own service, that is a huge step, but it may not be the only step. The entire medical community needs more information. As each one of the attendees becomes their own best practice for how to provide services to trans clients, that service needs to be held up,” he said. The more these best practices exhibit the culture of respect Bass said is necessary, the better healthcare can become for transgender individuals, addressing not just the need for HIV testing, but for mental health evaluations and pre- and post-operatory care. Fitzpatrick believes that one way to create that culture of respect is for people to realize that being transgender is a medical issue. “This is a medical condition. It’s an actual medical, diagnosable condition,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was my form of cancer. It wasn’t cancer in the sense of I had cancer, but for me it was. It was a life-or-death situation where I had a growth on my body that repulsed me, that made me physically ill and without it being removed it was going to kill me.” Fitzpatrick wants to become a nurse practitioner to help and treat people like her in a professional manner. It’s that sort of leadership Milan hopes to inspire in all of the providers listening to his speech this month. “I hope that people embrace the possibilities of how things can become different for the trans community,” he said. “Better services, better legal protections, better advocacy for the community, better health outcomes for the trans community. The possibilities of improving all of those are what this conference is about: giving people the desire to want to go out and do their part to improve them.”
6 Trans Day Remembrance November 11, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Trans murder victims to be honored at Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil Details
Tribute also planned for late activist Cheryl Courtney-Evans
‘Surviving The Storm’ Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016 3:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Georgia State University 55 Gilmer St. SE Atlanta, GA 30303 www.facebook.com/ events/735475363268871
By DIONNE WALKER While several high-profile police shootings have dominated the media focus through 2016, in another, dimmer spotlight, a different crisis has been unfolding: that of transgender men and women being killed for little more than expressing their gender identity. They include artists and nurses, teens and empty nesters, persons of color and otherwise – all united by a form of violence transgender advocates agree is at an all-time high. It’s more than a passing trend, it’s a social storm, say organizers of this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, which will honor the fallen with a vigil and keynote this month. Organizers hope to draw attention to the impact of violence in the transgender community and foster resilience in a political and social climate where it’s needed most. “We’re living in a state of emergency,” said activist Tracee McDaniel, whose Juxtaposed Center for Transformation has organized Atlanta’s version of the event since 2007. “There is a storm that is happening, and regardless of what’s going on and how our community is being targeted and murdered, we are surviving.” Transgender murders at epidemic levels The “Surviving the Storm” Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil will be held at Georgia State University, and will feature a keynote from Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham. There will also be a tribute to Cheryl Courtney-Evans, the pioneering transgender activist who died of cancer last month. The event, sponsored by a coalition of Atlanta LGBT groups, is one of several being held across the country this November. It comes as transgender murders reach epidemic levels across the country. At least 20 transgender men and women have been fatally shot, stabbed or otherwise succumbed to violence in 2016, according to the Human Rights Campaign, which reported 21 – an all-time-high- in 2015.
The Human Rights Campaign reports that at least 20 transgender men and women have been killed this year. They reported 21 murders – an all-time high – in 2015.
“We really have a responsibility to look out and stand as allies for our transgender brothers and sisters. So much of the hatred that is thrown at transgender people these days is very similar to the hatred that was thrown at people because of their sexual orientation 10, 20 or 30 years ago.” —Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham, who is the keynote speaker at this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil Victims include: n Dee Whigham, 25, a transgender woman and registered nurse found robbed and stabbed to death in a Mississippi hotel. Dwanya Hickerson, 20, a Navy seaman, has been charged with capital murder in the death. n Transman Amos Beede, 38, attacked and beaten to death in a Burlington, VT homeless camp, reported CNN. n Forty-three-year-old Austin transwoman Monica Loera, shot following an argument, according to the Austin American Statesman. Victims include hate crime victims as well as those victimized by people they knew.
the divisive rhetoric of the 2016 presidential election aided in bringing a lot of the lingering biases shared by everyday Americans to light. At the same time, she said there remains a very real issue of domestic violence in the trans community. “Some of the murders are being committed by intimate partners,” she said. “Some of the murders are being committed by a person who has a desire to be with a trans person.” Police say such was the case with Quartney Davia Dawsonn-Yochum, 32, shot to death by her ex-boyfriend on a Los Angeles street this past March.
‘Very real issue’ of domestic violence in trans community That the violence is on the rise is clear. But the answers as to why are more elusive. “It’s hard to say – there’s a lot of phobia and a lot of hatred,” said McDaniel, who added that
Georgia one of five states without hate crime law While McDaniel was at a loss for the cause of the violence, she said one key way to make change is clear – anti-hate crime legislation. Georgia remains one of five states without
hate crime laws on the books, a status that has shown no signs of change since last year’s vigil. “We have not made any progress,” said McDaniel who was nonetheless confident change would come. “Hopefully our legislators will begin to focus on making sure that trans people are protected.” Where legislators fail, it’s up to the rest of the LGBT community to step in and speak up, said Georgia Equality head Jeff Graham. He called the tendency for gays and lesbians to feel separate from transgender issues “misguided.” “We really have a responsibility to look out and stand as allies for our transgender brothers and sisters,” he said. “So much of the hatred that is thrown at transgender people these days is very similar to the hatred that was thrown at people because of their sexual orientation 10, 20 or 30 years ago.” Graham called transgender violence a focus issue of Georgia Equality; just over a year ago, the advocacy group hired a transgender community organizer. Despite the violence, McDaniel sees areas of hope. For one, she said she was encouraged by arrests and an increasing sense of seriousness that the justice system is showing toward perpetrators of anti-trans crimes. She remained hopeful that a new president would continue building the LGBT-friendly bridges of President Barack Obama, and joined Graham in hopes that these things, combined with the high profile of transgender women like Janet Mock and Laverne Cox, are signs that transgender people are gradually entering the mainstream. “We’ve seen greater levels of acceptance,” Graham said. “That comes with greater levels of understanding the reality of who transgender people are – that they are people just like anyone else.”
8 Trans Day Remembrance November 11, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
The path of a ‘born activist’ to Atlanta police oversight board Tracee McDaniel hopes to improve relations between APD, trans community By ROBBIE MEDWED The Atlanta Citizen Review Board is designed to be “a credible, independent forum where complaints and accusations” of misconduct among police and corrections officers can be assessed. It was originally started to help increase confidence and trust in law enforcement, and its members represent local populations and various neighborhoods of the city. But in the capital city of the state that holds the fourth largest transgender population in the country, the Atlanta Citizen Review Board hasn’t had a transgender member – until now. In August, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced his appointment of longtime trans activist Tracee McDaniel. In a prepared statement, the mayor said, “As a life-long advocate for the transgender community, Ms. McDaniel will bring an important perspective and a lifetime of experience to this role. It is always essential to have minority voices in the room, and our LGBTQ community has a tremendous stake in positive police-community relations. I am confident Tracee McDaniel will serve Atlanta with excellence and dedication.” McDaniel was confirmed unanimously by the ACRB in October after roughly two months of background checks and committee hearings, but her path toward activism had begun long before then. ‘Born activist’ backed by gay City Council member A child of the civil rights movement, Tracee McDaniel believes that she was a “born activist.” After a long career in the entertainment industry, she heeded an internal call to get involved with equality agencies and grassroots organizations fighting against the discrimination transgender people faced in Atlanta’s homeless shelters. “I was disgusted by the fact that trans people were being denied access,” she tells the Georgia Voice. An October 2015 report of the National
Transgender activist Tracee McDaniel founded the Juxtaposed Center for Transformation and has dedicated much of her activist life to helping the homeless trans community. (File photo)
“For far too long trans people were afraid to come forth to file complaints, due to fear of retaliation. I hope that my presence will reassure all community members that it’s okay to come forward and speak out against injustice and violence, because I am there to represent them.” —Tracee McDaniel on her appointment to the Atlanta Citizen Review Board Transgender Discrimination Survey found that at least 41 percent of all black trans people had been homeless at some point in their lifetime. Atlanta didn’t include gender identity or expression in its non-discrimination ordinance until the year 2000. McDaniel founded the Juxtaposed Center for Transformation, an anchoring organization of the Trans Housing Atlanta Program, and has dedicated much of her activist life to helping the homeless trans community. Atlanta City Council Member Alex Wan (District 6) was by McDaniel’s side for many of those battles. “She and I go way back, having worked together in the trenches fighting for LGBT rights. I have seen first-hand her knowledge base and tenacity, but, more importantly, her compassion and patience,” he told the Georgia Voice. On a personal level, he added, “I am thrilled with Tracee’s appointment.” McDaniel’s activism has always been deeply personal. Her intentions through
those early years, she said, were to “disabuse those under the impression that we’re all lawbreaking Jerry Springer stereotypes. I also wanted to illuminate our humanity and the contributions we’ve made to the community, since the beginning of written history.” Wan echoes McDaniel’s call for education and learning about the importance of the trans community to Atlanta, and the delicate nuances public safety officers need to take into account when interacting with them. “Tracee’s appointment to the Atlanta Citizen Review Board adds an important LGBT voice and perspective in reviewing complaints against the Atlanta Police Department,” he says. Strained relationship between APD, trans women of color Atlanta’s Police Department currently has two openly LGBT officers who serve as LGBT liaisons (neither are trans) and, in the past, had an LGBT Advisory Group serve as council
and to establish communication between the department and the LGBT community, but its role was advisory and was not intended to engage in a review of complaints against officers. Adding to her credentials, McDaniel was previously a member of that review board. From the outside looking in, it seems as though McDaniel’s progression from grassroots activist to Citizen Review Board member was inevitable. She certainly doesn’t think so. “Honestly speaking, I had no idea that I’d end up in such an amazing position to continue advocating for human rights and justice for all community members.” For many, Tracee’s appointment couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Violence against trans women of color is at epidemic levels. The Solutions Not Punishment Coalition’s recent report, “The Most Dangerous Thing Out Here Is The Police,” revealed shocking statistics about the relationship between APD and trans people of color. 1 in 12 “of the trans women surveyed had been forced to engage in sexual activity or experienced various forms of unwanted sexual contact from an APD officer in the last year.” The report also found that “when it comes to trans people … Atlanta police are much more likely to harass than to protect us.“ Alex Wan understands the challenges the ACRB, the APD, and the LGBT community all face, but he’s optimistic: “Given the nation’s disproportionate instances of negative interactions between public safety officers and trans women of color, Tracee’s appointment demonstrates the city of Atlanta’s commitment to addressing – and ultimately preventing – any such instances that take place in our community. I applaud Mayor Reed and my colleagues on City Council for taking this significant step.” McDaniel looks forward to being able to tackle these problems and more as the only transgender member of the Citizen Review Board. “I strongly believe that I bring value to the ACRB. I am hopeful that having representation at the table will encourage those with complaints against law enforcement and corrections officers to come forward and express their voices. For far too long trans people were afraid to come forth to file complaints, due to fear of retaliation. I hope that my presence will reassure all community members that it’s okay to come forward and speak out against injustice and violence, because I am there to represent them.”
10 Trans Day Remembrance November 11, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
NEWSBRIEFS Georgia LGBT rights coalition calls on new Georgia AG to drop anti-trans lawsuit LGBT rights coalition Georgia Unites Against Discrimination is calling on newly named Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr to withdraw the state from an anti-transgender lawsuit against the federal government. The suit, filed in May on behalf of 23 states including Georgia, argues that the federal government had no authority to direct the nation’s public school districts to permit students to use the restrooms that correspond with their gender identity. The filing followed guidance that the Obama administration issued for trans students in the U.S. Georgia Unites, a major force in the fight against the anti-LGBT so-called “religious freedom” bill HB757 vetoed by Gov. Nathan Deal earlier this year, writes in an email blast to followers, “Despite the mounting evidence that discrimination wrecks local economies, 23 states—including Georgia—are shamefully pushing a lawsuit will the singular goal of rolling back transgender protections. But our new Attorney General Chris Carr has the power to make a difference and halt Georgia’s involvement in this heinous lawsuit.” They’re asking their supporters to sign a petition urging Attorney General Carr to withdraw from the suit, warning, “Georgia does not need to be the next North Carolina.” That state has been embroiled in controversy and taken a massive economic hit after passing the anti-LGBT House Bill 2. Carr replaces former Attorney General Sam Olens, who took over as president of Kennesaw State University despite protests from many in the LGBT community. THEA conference returned to Atlanta for second year The Transgender Health & Education Alliance (THEA) hosted their annual Peach State Conference earlier this month at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria. Now in its second year, the conference was expected to draw roughly 200 transgender persons, health providers and allies for panels discussing everything from spirituality to workplace issues, all with a focus on promoting physical and mental health in the transgender community. The conference marked one of the higher profile events for this group, which has a mission of improving the life experiences of transgender persons in the medical, eduwww.thegeorgiavoice.com
The Transgender Health & Education Alliance (THEA) held their second annual Peach State Conference in early November in Atlanta. (File photo)
cation, community and church arenas. The group recently earned its 501(c)3 status and, working with a team of just 30 or so people, hosts a variety of events aimed at affirming transgender men and women. “Our goals are to utilize all four of those different avenues to increase awareness of gender diversity,” THEA co-founder and director of health and family programs Lisa Raman told the Georgia Voice. “To provide education, access to health care and to improve quality of life for transgender people.” They tackled that goal this year with a diverse schedule of panels and speakers. Discussions like “Safer Sex for Trans Bodies: A Community Resource,” and “Having Difficult Conversations,” covered some of the social challenges of living transgender, while panels on reinventing careers were meant to empower transmen and women to consider starting businesses or otherwise taking control of their work life. But the health panels were a major focus this year. “Even though there’s information available on the Internet, not all of it is accurate, not all of it is reliable and not all of it provides enough detail and answers to the questions [transgender men and women] have,” Raman said. “They need to come for the information and the support but they also come for the sense of community.” Man found guilty of murdering LGBT Atlanta activist The man accused of raping, stabbing and choking to death a beloved Atlanta LGBT
activist was found guilty on all 12 counts by a Dekalb County jury on Oct. 31. Project Q Atlanta reports Donte Lamar Wyatt was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, rape, aggravated sodomy, three counts of aggravated assault, home invasion, first degree burglary, false imprisonment, theft by taking and criminal trespass in the April 13, 2015 killing of Catherine Han Montoya. Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson sentenced Wyatt to four life sentences plus 41 years in prison, according to the DeKalb District Attorney’s Office. Wyatt’s crime spree spread across two counties as he stabbed his wife in the parking lot of a Stockbridge Waffle House before driving to Atlanta in a rented truck and breaking into Montoya’s home on Shadowridge Drive, where she lived with her wife Meredith. He was later captured after an hours-long standoff at another house. Project Q reports that Wyatt is also charged with attacking his cellmate in the DeKalb County Jail after he was arrested. He allegedly strangled Jah’Corey Tyson on July 4, 2015 and removed his eyeballs. He pleaded not guilty to charges related to the jailhouse murder in September 2015. Montoya was the director of field immigration and capacity-building initiatives at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Leadership Conference Education Fund, and was also cochair of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum. November 11, 2016 News 11
FINANCIAL TIPS
Ready or not, tax season is upon us “There are strategies to put into play prior to the end of the year to help you save tax. For example, if you sold highly appreciated stock, but have other stocks in a loss position, it would be a good idea to offset some or all of the gain by selling some of the losers.” —Mercedes M. Pasqualetti of HLM Financial Group
By MERCEDES M. PASQUALETTI, MBA Tax and General Manager, HLM Financial Group Yes, it’s that time of year again. A whole year has flown by, making today the perfect time to start preparing for the time-honored tradition of filing your tax return. The easiest place to start is by compiling a list of the things you need by looking at the type of income and expenses reported on your return from last year. If your family or employment status has remained the same, last year’s return may contain clues to the statements and information you need to watch for this year. After reviewing last year’s tax return, bring it with you to your tax appointment. Your professional tax preparer can spot things on the return that you may have overlooked. If you are using a professional, they may have software that can produce a tax organizer. This will have a list of the documents you used last year to prepare your tax return. Next, gather all the income statements you received. This includes all your Forms W-2, Forms 1099, and Schedule K-1s for taxpayers who are owners of an S corporation or a partnership. A Schedule K-1 is also issued to taxpayers who received income as a beneficiary of an estate or trust. Often, the Schedule K-1 is not mailed until later in the filing season, so if you are expecting one of these, wait to receive it before you file. Other income items may include profits from selling an asset, such as stock, or any other income-producing property you own. It’s important to know how much you paid www.thegeorgiavoice.com
for the assets, how they were acquired, and when they were acquired. Only the profit is taxable. If you sold a primary residence, the gain may or may not be taxable. If you can’t determine the cost of an asset, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will assume it is zero. This results in the entire gain being taxable, and you will wind up paying more in taxes than necessary. If you sold any of the items above, it would be good to meet with a tax consultant to determine if there are any tax-saving strategies to implement prior to December 31, 2016. Be careful not to overlook any medical expenses, property taxes, mortgage interest, employee business expenses, and charitable contributions. Bring in all the expenses you incurred during the year, along with documentation showing when you paid them. If you made charitable contributions of $250 or more at a time to one organization, you must obtain a statement from the charitable organization before your return can be filed. You must also have written documentation (such as receipts or canceled checks) of all cash donations, regardless of the amount. Other deductible expenses include moving expenses, casualty losses, and costs incurred for the care of your children while you work. If your tax situation changed dramatically throughout the year, it is a good idea to meet with a tax consultant prior to year-end to ensure you have covered all your tax bases. There are strategies to put into play prior to the end of the year to help you save tax. For example, if you sold highly appreciated
The tax professionals at HLM Financial Group say to start on your 2016 taxes by compiling a list of things you need by looking at the type of income and expenses reported on your 2015 return. (iStock photo)
stock, but have other stocks in a loss position, it would be a good idea to offset some or all of the gain by selling some of the losers. If you itemize, it is possible to transfer highly appreciated stock to a charity and avoid the gain as well. Tax strategy is very complex and the right professional should be able to assist you in minimizing your tax burden. The best way to accomplish this is to meet prior to year end as the options are greatly reduced after the end of the tax year. Whether you prepare the return yourself,
or hire a professional to do it for you, being organized pays off. A professional tax practitioner can help you sort through the mounds of paper you have gathered and look for information that will allow you deductions under the new rules. If you would like assistance with proactive tax management, give HLM a call at 404-836-1120. HLM is celebrating 30 years of business and would like to thank the community for your support for the past 30 years! November 11, 2016 Finances 15
Outspoken PO Box 77401 • Atlanta, GA 30357 P: 404-815-6941; F: 404-963-6365
Editorial
Interim Editor: Patrick Saunders psaunders@thegavoice.com Editorial Contributors: Ashleigh Atwell, Dyana Bagby, Cliff Bostock, Melissa Carter, Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames, Bill Kaelin, Ryan Lee, Robbie Medwed, Matt Schafer, Dionne Walker, Simon Williamson
Production
Art Director: Rob Boeger rboeger@thegavoice.com
Business
Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com Managing Partner: Christina Cash ccash@thegavoice.com
Sales
Sales Executive: Dixon Taylor dtaylor@thegavoice.com Business Advisor: Lynn Pasqualetti Financial Firm of Record: HLM Financial Group National Advertising: Rivendell Media, 908-232-2021 sales@rivendellmedia.com
Fine Print
All material in Georgia Voice is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Georgia Voice. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. We also do not accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by Georgia Voice, but we do not take responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit any submission. Guidelines for freelance contributors are available upon request. A single copy of Georgia Voice is available from authorized distribution points. Multiple copies are available from Georgia Voice office only. Call for rates. If you are unable to reach a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 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 Georgia Voice, PO Box 77401, Atlanta, GA 30357. 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 Georgia Voice are expressed in editorials and in editor’s notes. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Georgia Voice and its staff. To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words and commentary, for web or print, should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address and phone number for verification. Email submissions to editor@thegavoice. com or mail to the address above.
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16 Outspoken November 11, 2016
“#bohemianrhapsody #queen #freddiemercury #brianmay #rogertaylor #johndeacon #grahamking #fox #newregency Looking forward to @ramimalek @whoismrrobot playing #Freddie photo @therealmickrock” —Openly gay director Bryan Singer on Rami Malek being cast to play Freddie Mercury in the upcoming Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” (Instagram, Nov. 5); (Publicity photo)
“I’ve seen a lot of the process and [I just have] an appreciation for all the people that sacrifice and volunteer and put in the time and effort and work to make sure that Hillary is our next president. And I would feel absolutely horrible if Donald Trump is our president and I didn’t do everything I could do to make sure that Hillary Clinton becomes president.” -—Former NBA player Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player, on being an advocate for Hillary Clinton (Sports Illustrated, Nov. 1); (Screenshot)
“Be a part of history. What I’m asking you is to be in this moment right now with us and fight for your future and the future of our children. It’s so amazing because no matter how absurd and mean he became, she smiled bravely. And she continued on…she kept going. And she kept fighting for women’s rights, she kept fighting for the care of our children, she kept fighting for those who are in need. And the truth is that Hillary Clinton has done this for her entire career. She didn’t just wake up one morning and decide she wanted to be president. She has had a career in politics that has spanned decades of experience, education, leadership, and wisdom.” —Lady Gaga at an Election Eve rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she wore the same jacket Michael Jackson wore when he went to the White House to meet President Georgia H.W. Bush in 1990. (Towleroad, Nov. 8); (Photo via Facebook) www.thegeorgiavoice.com
IN THE MARGINS
Creepoftheweek
On dating while ‘woke’
Colorado lawmaker: LGBT ‘behavior’ causes depression, cancer
By Ashleigh Atwell
Ashleigh Atwell is a queer lesbian writer and organizer born and raised in Atlanta, GA.
“When masculine people are pressured to spread toxic masculinity or femmes are forced into domestication, no one is truly happy. People should be allowed to do whatever comes natural for them.” In February, I wrote about my struggles in the Atlanta dating scene and while my mental issues haven’t been a problem as of late, my latest escapades have caused me to do some reflection. Anyone that knows me or reads this column knows that I have strong feminist leanings. I don’t take any crap and I don’t think a person’s purpose in life can be defined by their genitalia and outward appearance. That said, as I was mulling over the last person that caught my eye, I had a realization. I typically take a traditionally feminine role in my romantic relationships. I love the idea of getting dressed up for my boo and them telling me how pretty I am. I like the idea of cooking and cleaning for them. I like the idea of someone willing to take the lead and let me lay back, at times. There, I said it. Writing that passage was painful and admitting this to myself was a lot. As an unapologetically Black feminist, I should be resistant to this type of role. I should be balking at the idea of being traditionally feminine. But, I’m not and for some reason, that bothers me. Heteronormative behavior is an issue in the LGBTQ community and I don’t want to promote it. As a queer woman, I have interacted with women that believe femmes are just around to serve them and be quiet while act out every toxic masculine behavior they learned from their daddies, brothers and uncles. As someone who likes masculine of center women, one 18 Outspoken November 11, 2016
of my biggest fears is falling for someone that hasn’t abandoned toxic masculinity. Domestic abuse is an oft ignored issue in the community and I’m not willing to be its next victim. At the core, I think this boils down to vulnerability. As a queer person, I don’t want my sort of traditional femininity to be used against me. As a Black woman, I don’t want to be made into a mule and not be allowed to inhabit that femininity. I am proud of my intersectional existence but at times, it becomes a burden. Dating while “woke” is hard because you care if every move you make or preference upholds an oppressive system. I talked with my friend about this and she summed it up for me. The roles themselves aren’t the problem. The issue begins when people are forced into them. When masculine people are pressured to spread toxic masculinity or femmes are forced into domestication, no one is truly happy. People should be allowed to do whatever comes natural for them. Balance is key, y’all. Wanting to learn my family’s biscuit recipe and possibly be a stay-at-home parent doesn’t mean I’m any less of a feminist. My choices might not be necessarily feminist but the fact that I’m able to choose is the blessing. Are my feelings about this settled? No. The word “submissive” still makes me want to puke. However, nothing is definite. But as a recovering control freak, I’m learning to enjoy the journey.
By D’ANNE WITKOWSKI Whenever people ask me why I decided to get breast cancer last year, I try to evade the question. Maybe I just like spending time in hospitals. Maybe I have a surgery fetish. What I never admit is that I did it for the bonus pay. You might be wondering, what’s this “bonus pay” you speak of? Well, up until Oct. 28 it was definitely a TOP SECRET part of the Gay Agenda. But then LGBT hate scholar Gordon Klingenschmitt had to go and reveal the plan to the world. It all started with an announcement from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities that they had formally designated “sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) as a health disparity population for NIH research.” The term SGM primarily encompasses LGBT people. “Mounting evidence indicates that SGM populations have less access to health care and higher burdens of certain diseases, such as depression, cancer, and HIV/AIDS,” wrote NIMHD Director Eliseo Pérez-Stable. “But the extent and causes of health disparities are not fully understood, and research on how to close these gaps is lacking.”
The SGM designation is intended to catch people who often fall through the cracks in the health care system. Because a healthy counGordon Klingenschmitt try is a stronger country and everyone deserves access to health care, right? Klingenschmitt, an elected official in the Colorado House of Representatives, said during his Oct. 28 “news” program, “I always worry a little bit when they say these people are under-served because what that means is they’re going to start pouring out more government handouts to people who behave a certain way. So now they’re going to get bonus pay to treat the diseases which they bring on due to their behavior. Your taxpayer dollars at work.” Take that, taxpayers! Getting sick to get that sweet bonus pay is the life! Granted, I haven’t gotten my check yet, but I’m sure it’ll be huge! I can’t wait! (Seriously. I can’t wait. I couldn’t work for nearly a year. Please send the check ASAP along with my Obama phone, thanks).
www.thegeorgiavoice.com
www.thegeorgiavoice.com
November 11, 2016 Ads 19
WORK
IT!
Event space inspired by James Baldwin to open in Atlanta Owner looks to address city’s lack of black, gay-inclusive establishments By DIONNE WALKER When it comes to places for an LGBT Atlantan to grab a drink or meet a date, there’s no shortage of addresses around the city. But places where you can find good food, good company, and management that truly respects and welcomes you? Such locales may be a bit harder to find. So says Earl Adams, an LGBT literary enthusiast, lover of live music and all-around social butterfly who plans to combine those passions into one unforgettable social space influenced by one unforgettable literary figure. Baldwin’s is described as a “communal, open-ended space centered around good food, great cocktails, and provocative conversation.” Set to open in a 4,000 sq. ft. vintage library space near Castleberry next spring, the forthcoming social hub will combine a French-inspired dining area, a library and a bar, said Adams, who likened it to a blend of Cafe Intermezzo and the former Outwrite Bookstore - with shades of Washington D.C’s popular Busboys and Poets gathering place. “It’s going to be a little more upbeat,” he said, adding that the concept of a place where people feel welcome and comfortable in their skin was influenced by one of his favorite icons, celebrated gay novelist, poet and playwright, James Baldwin. “He was a major advocate for human rights. I loved his story and I loved the things that he did,” Adams said of the author known for writing openly about the challenges facing gays and blacks at a time when such subjects were kept hushed. “He was the big inspiration for creating a space that I wanted him to be proud of essentially.”
“The same way I’m allowed to grow and be successful, I want to be able to provide those same experiences for other people who wouldn’t ordinarily get it.” —Earl Adams on the kind of filmmakers, DJs, authors and artists he wants to showcase at Baldwin’s Adams is co-owner of Studio No. 7 Adams envisions a space where cultured LGBT urbanites can imbibe in exotic drinks and intriguing books by day, while enjoying film screenings, DJs and book signings by night. He said he wants to emphasize up-andcoming artists too. “The same way I’m allowed to grow and be successful, I want to be able to provide those same experiences for other people who wouldn’t ordinarily get it,” he said. He has the website - BaldwinsATL.com - and the dream, and now it’s up to Adams to raise the money. He’s nearly a quarter of the way through a capital campaign he’s confident will enable Baldwin’s to become a reality in 2017. The distinct venture isn’t his first. A real estate photographer by day, the New York transplant met business partner Shannon Evans in 2012, when a friend who interviewed for a job at Evans’ event space, Studio No. 7, suggested they meet. The two got along so well it wasn’t long before Evans brought Adams on as co-owner of the unique social venue, near the Georgia Aquarium. Together, the pair created a “flexible, creative space,” part art gallery, cafe and outdoor gathering place that has hosted everything from weddings to album releases. ‘I want to affirm us’ While Studio No. 7 has seen success, the
Gay Atlanta businessman Earl Adams says he’s a quarter of the way through a capital campaign that he’s confident will enable Baldwin’s to open next spring. (Courtesy photo)
venture hasn’t escaped its occasional challenges. For starters, Adams explained, a fire the day after their opening shut the business down for roughly two years. And even after the business began to thrive, Adams said he experienced a gnawing feeling that he wasn’t quite following his dream. He began thinking back to a business concept he’d come up with years before, and soon was ready to renew the idea. “I stopped working at Studio No. 7 regularly back in October 2015 because I was ready to do something different - something that I had actually created,” he said, adding that he was also inspired by his own experiences around the city. He pointed to a lack of diversity in LGBT-marketed spaces, where the venues look the same and the patrons often do too. Outside the community, he said, LGBT people can find themselves feeling less than welcome. He said the issue is particularly acute in the black community. “There are a number of black-owned spac-
es, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re always as inclusive,” he said. “I want to affirm us. I want to feel like this is a place to go - I feel welcome, I feel celebrated when I’m here.” Hopes for hospitality group in future Adams previously channeled that communal attitude into forming a nonprofit that helped prepare youth for college. His Baldwin’s venture is just the flip side of the same community service coin, he said. “What is going to make Baldwin’s distinct is that Baldwin’s is a space that is built out of a community response,” he said. Down the road, Adams said he hopes to have a hospitality group of posh restaurants, intimate bars and boutique hotels. He encourages other up-and-coming businesspersons to get ready for long nights, find a mentor and always have a plan B. As for him, Adams doesn’t plan on reigning in his ambitions anytime soon. Can Atlanta handle all of his goals? Adams believes so.
20 Community November 11, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
AUTOS ALFA ROMEO GIULIA
5 HOT RIDES FOR 2017 Your guide to the five cars you’ll want to drive By CASEY WILLIAMS
CHEVROLET BOLT EV
Every fall, the world’s automakers brush away the leaves long enough to debut their new rides. This year, we look at an affordable Tesla competitor from Chevrolet, a Honda pickup that’s gone mainstream, and an elegant Swede from China. Also check out Volkswagen’s answer to the iconic Subaru Outback, and finally, Alfa Romeo’s Italian accent on the sport sedan. Here’s your guide to the five cars you’ll want to drive:
CHEVROLET BOLT EV One year after the concept’s debut in Detroit, Chevrolet beats Tesla to offering an affordable electric car with more than 238 miles all-electric range. The Bolt charges for 90 miles of driving in 30 minutes. Drivers will enjoy an electric car rush given 200 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque. Tech includes a rear camera mirror, remote starting, smartphone-managed charging, navigation, and cabin pre-conditioning (warm or cool before entering). And connect all your iThings via 4G LTE Wi-Fi. Base price: $37,495 (before $7,500 federal tax credit)
22 Autos November 11, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
HONDA RIDGELINE Honda’s crossover-based pickup goes from homely to handsome as designers rebuff origami styling for streamlined normalcy. For the perfect game-day party, the bed has its own audio system, power outlet, under-floor trunk with drain for iced beverages, and a tailgate that swings and folds. Flip-up rear seats allow cross-loading cargo as in the tiny Fit. A standard 280 horsepower V6 engine easily tows a couple of jet skis. Safety is enhanced by available Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and LaneWatch camera. Keep haulin’! Base price: $29,475 VOLVO S90 China’s Geely may own Volvo, but the automaker’s latest sedan exhibits Swedish design ethos with simple but elegant forms. Styling includes signature “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlamps, concave grille from the classic Volvo P1800, and adaptive lighting that adjusts for oncoming traffic. Interiors indulge in swaths of soft leather, exuberantly grained planks of wood, and 9.3-inch tabletlike touchscreen. Powertrain choices include a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 316 horsepower and 25-MPG highway or a “Twin Engine” plug-in hybrid delivering 410 horsepower. Being a Volvo, the S90 boasts safety tech like Adaptive Cruise Control, Pilot Assist semi-autonomous drive feature, and an IIHS Top Pick+ rating.
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF ALLTRAK
Base price: $46,950 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF ALLTRAK Meet Germany’s Outback, all jacked up with all roads to go. Volkswagen took its Golf wagon and sported it out with an increased ride height, side sill cladding, underbody guards, redesigned bumpers, and roof rack. They placed it over 17” wheels and brightened its mug with Bi-Xenon headlamps and LED running lamps. Inside, it’s dressed up with V-Tex leatherette seating – available in Marrakesh Brown. Fender premium audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, and a panoramic sunroof enliven the drive. Go forward with a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 170 horsepower through a 6-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. 4Motion all-wheel-drive, hill descent control and off-road mode enhances trail performance. A full suite of crash mitigation systems are also available. www.thegeorgiavoice.com
VOLVO S90 Base price: $25,850 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA Nothing dresses a gent like an Italian suit, and nobody builds a sport sedan like Alfa Romeo. Balanced and beautiful, the Giulia marks Alfa Romeo’s return to the American
HONDA RIDGELINE premium sedan segment. Base models harbor a 280 horsepower turbocharged fourcylinder engine while high-performance Quadrifoglio editions dance with a 505 horsepower bi-turbo V6 that runs 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Aggressive Italian style accompanies an intricately-tuned chassis that
carves corners with the best Germans. Blindspot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection and adaptive headlamps enhance safety. Production begins this fall in Frosinone, Italy; sales commence thereafter. Base price (est.): $40,000 November 11, 2016 Autos 23
What is TRUVADA for PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)?
TRUVADA is a prescription medicine that can be used for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection when used together with safer sex practices. This use is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This includes HIV-negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex, and male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV-1. 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.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP?
Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: uYou must be HIV-negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not
already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. uMany HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: uYou must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. uYou must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. uTo further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: • Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. uIf you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: uToo much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. uSerious liver problems. Your liver may become large and tender, and you may develop fat in your liver. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain.
uYou may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you
are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking TRUVADA 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. uWorsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you also have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider tells you to stop taking TRUVADA, they will need to watch you closely for several months to monitor your health. TRUVADA is not approved for the treatment of HBV.
Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP? Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you also take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).
What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: uKidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA for PrEP. uBone problems, including bone pain or bones getting soft or thin, may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. uChanges in body fat, which can happen in people taking TRUVADA or medicines like TRUVADA. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? uAll your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or
have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection.
uIf you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can
harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Pregnancy Registry: A pregnancy registry collects information about your health and the health of your baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take medicines to prevent HIV-1 during pregnancy. For more information about the registry and how it works, talk to your healthcare provider. uIf you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. The medicines in TRUVADA can pass to your baby in breast milk. If you become HIV-1 positive, HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. uAll the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. uIf you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA for PrEP, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include ledipasvir with sofosbuvir (HARVONI). You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.
Have you heard about
TRUVADA for PrEP ? TM
The once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when used with safer sex practices. • TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. • You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA. Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.
visit start.truvada.com
IMPORTANT FACTS (tru-VAH-dah)
This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP
Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP.
TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP" section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems. • Changes in body fat. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.
While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-1 negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • Tell your healthcare provider if you have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How to Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. • Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months. You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time.
BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you become HIV-1 positive because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.
HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • You must practice safer sex by using condoms and you must stay HIV-1 negative.
HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP (PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS) TRUVADA is a prescription medicine used with safer sex practices for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk: • HIV-1 negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex. • Male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. To help determine your risk, talk openly with your doctor about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).
TRUVADA, the TRUVADA Logo, TRUVADA FOR PREP, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and HEPSERA are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2016 © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0067 10/16
• Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV-1 infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.
AUTOS
5 CLASSIC BEAUTIES FOR MODERN DRIVERS
MAZDA MX-5 MIATA RF
INFINITI Q60 COUPE
By CASEY WILLIAMS As with people like Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana, some cars and crossovers are just classically beautiful. Detailed body sculpting, chiseled faces, all the finest materials, and maybe a long hood, give cars panache and profile that are coveted among automotive fashionistas. If the top goes back, even better. A couple of closely-related roadsters, a flashy sport coupe, a luxury crossover, and an American icon all came to play. See which you want on your runway.
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MAZDA MX-5 MIATA RF I adore the Miata’s elegant manual cloth top, but the new RF has a hard top for tour-
ing, and with the flip of a switch, converts into an open roof targa. It can even perform this trick at slow speeds. Fastback styling gets pulses quickening – as does a choice of SKYACTIV 1.5- or 2.0-liter gasoline engines, the latter delivering 155 horsepower. Interiors can be upholstered in Nappa leather, but are still models of simplicity. The RF should please Miata enthusiasts while enticing new fans. Base price: $31,555 INFINITI Q60 COUPE Like street sex, the third-generation Infiniti coupe is raw and elative. Edgy creases CONTINUED ON PAGE 31
November 11, 2016 Autos 27
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REVIEWS
Former Disney star Garrett Clayton portrays porn star Brent Corrigan alongside Christian Slater, James Franco, Molly Ringwald and Alicia Silverstone in ‘King Cobra,’ now playing in Atlanta theaters. (Photos courtesy of IFC)
E R TA I N
UNLEASHING
GARRETT CLAYTON ‘King Cobra’ actor on becoming Brent Corrigan, his secret sexuality and learning to kiss like a gay porn star
By CHRIS AZZOPARDI “Do they like biting lips? Do they like using more tongue?” To play former gay porn mogul Brent Corrigan, it was Garrett Clayton’s job to find out. So the 25-year-old exDisney star probed those very questions while poring over videos of the notorious twink teasing the camera at just 17, when Corrigan starred in a throng of high-profile porn videos that led to his storied, controversial adult-film legacy. Corrigan’s past is the lurid centerpiece titillating every juicy frame of director Justin Kelly’s sexy and scandalous “King Cobra,” embodied by Clayton and his hypnotic come-hither gaze. Christian Slater plays gay porn producer Bryan Kocis (renamed Stephen in the film), who gets tangled in a mess of controversy and murder after illegally jump-starting Corrigan’s porn career. James Franco, who CONTINUES ON PAGE 30 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
November 11, 2016 A&E 29
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29
see him as a 17-year-old doing this, and the fact that I can find it online – I literally just typed in “Brent Corrigan first video” and a bunch of different websites came up. I just think it was fascinating to watch somebody at that age doing what they’re doing. To me, that was the most interesting piece of work because, I mean, how could it not be?
co-produced the project, sustains his oft-onscreen queerness, starring as a rival producer. Read on for the ex-Mouseketeer’s thoughts on studying Corrigan’s ‘fascinating’ porn videos and the vision Clayton had for his contractually agreed-upon butt shot. How much trepidation did you have taking on someone as controversial – in the porn world at least – as Brent Corrigan? I didn’t know what to expect at first because you don’t know if you’re going to have a team of people who will be really respectful and take care of you or a group of people who are there to exploit you and make money off of how good you’ll be. I couldn’t have asked for more, especially jumping into such a controversial subject. What was your process for embodying Brent’s mannerisms during the porn scenes? You want to watch someone’s work and study the way they’re into somebody or not. How do they kiss? Do they bite? Do they like biting lips? Do they like using more tongue? Are they more aggressive in their work? Does he play the victim? I tried to look at all those things. And even watching that YouTube channel that he wanted to have for a minute – those videos were interesting to watch just because there are little things in there too. How is he when he speaks to his audience? What’s his body language like when he’s talking about something he’s comfortable with versus uncomfortable with?
‘King Cobra’ star Garrett Clayton (Photo courtesy of IFC)
At one of the film festivals somebody asked me and Justin what our favorite video of his was, and even though mine doesn’t sound as exciting, it’s the more fascinating one. It’s the first video he did with Bryan where he’s lying in the lawn. Nobody knew at that time that he was 17, and I was just surprised that there are so many sites that still have that video online. It’s crazy. And to
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY
30 A&E November 11, 2016
How was your nudity contract established for this film? I spoke to Justin about what I would agree to do, and it was: If you discuss with me first and I can understand logically why the nudity is a sexual act that can promote the plot in this scene, then I’ll do it. When I’m in the shower, it’s a sign he’s becoming comfortable with his sexuality. The montage is showing him becoming a star. At the end, I have my butt shot and, funny enough, that was my idea because Justin and me kept talking, saying, “When are we going to do the butt shot?” because (Corrigan is) known for his butt. And I was watching and I said, “Why don’t we make him getting the tattoo like ownership of self and being able to do what he wants to do with his body? If we show his ass at the end and we see there’s a tattoo on it, now he can do what he wants to do with his body and he has control over his life and where he’s going.” Because you’re playing gay in this movie, is there pressure to acknowledge your own sexuality? And how do you react to people who criticize you for not doing so? I mean, they probably would feel a lot
differently if people were calling them and saying, “So tell me: What you do in your bedroom every day?” This is my job. And I’m happy to promote my work. And I’m happy to stand up for things I believe in. If people can’t see the positivity in that, then I think that’s up to them. You can have Mother Teresa giving food out and somebody will find something negative to say. I moved out to LA to have a career where I got to play characters and focus on work and do all these awesome things, and I’m getting to do that now. I just don’t think it’s pertinent to talk about my personal life. I don’t think it adds to the work; it just distracts from it. I’m supportive of an open-minded lifestyle and letting people do what they want to do with their lives, so it’s nice to be able to do another, different type of role. Acting is about stepping out of body and getting to see different lives and experience different things, and I got to do that in this movie. One thing I even took away from this: I gained a lot more sympathy for people who work in the adult industry. A lot of times society is so harsh on people who do work in porn, and they’re so judged and scrutinized, and yet they’re so accepted because porn drives the internet, and people watch it so consistently, and it’s a multi-billionaire dollar industry. When you’re done working in it, though, people shun you. They just treat people who work in this industry poorly, and yet they’re watching them alone in their bedroom, supporting them. You can’t pick and choose. You either are open-minded, or you’re not.
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FIAT 124 SPIDER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27
and crevices reflect Infiniti’s expressive design language – especially fetching over 19” alloys and glistening with LED headlights. Slide inside to caress contrast stitched dashboard and door covering. Bluetooth, RearView Monitor, Bose Performance Series Audio, and sport seats lure you in. Step into the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 208 horsepower or choose the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 300 horsepower in 3.0t Premium trim or a boisterous 400 horsepower in the Red Sport 400 edition. Select rear- or all-wheel-drive. Drive one and get busy. Base price: $38,950 FIAT 124 SPIDER In form, it looks like an Italian sports car with modern bodywork that echoes the original Pininfariana design from the ‘60s-‘80s. But, in the ultimate “student becomes the master” moment, the Fiat 124 is essentially a Mazda Miata with new bodywork. The basic chassis and interior are shared. However, the Spider uses a 160 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the 500 Abarth. It’s best shifted with a six-speed manual transmission that enables 26/35-MPG city/hwy, 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds, and 140 mph top speed. Bose audio, heated leather seats, rear camera, navigation, and blind spot warning are available. An Italian roadster with Japanese genes? Absolutely! Base price: $24,995 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
CHEVROLET CORVETTE GRAND SPORT Corvettes are every boy’s dream car; sexy and suave, fast and rough. Those bulging fenders, muscular rump, and screaming engine take you there. Grand Sport is not the fastest Corvette, but it is especially track-ready with a carbon fiber aero package and standard magnetic ride control that near-magically adjusts the suspension between firm and comfortable in real time. Brembo brakes and 19”-front/20”-rear wheels keep it planted. The 460 horsepower V8 engine, connected to a rev-matching seven-speed manual or paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission, provides all the power you need. Iconic hash marks on the hood strike a pose. Base price: $66,445 MASERATI LEVANTE Meet the Maserati of crossovers named after a Mediterranean wind. Sculpted styling connects it to the brand’s famous sports cars, but this one rides on an air suspension that adjusts for on- and off-road adventures. Fine Italian leather, wood or carbon fiber trim, and Bowers & Wilkins audio dress the cabin. The Luxury Zegna Package adds silk seat inserts, door panels, and roof lining. If that doesn’t sound decadent, then step into the Ferrari-built 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that delivers 345 or 424 horsepower, depending on model. All-wheel-drive with torque vectoring to sachet through corners comes standard. All of the latest crash avoidance systems keep it between the ditches. Base price: $72,000 November 11, 2016 Autos 31
ACTING OUT
By JIM FARMER
‘Dirty Dancing’ musical’s gay performers weigh in on Atlanta stop It was a massively popular movie, known for launching the careers of Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze and for the immortal line “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.” Now “Dirty Dancing” has been turned into a stage musical. Besides a lot of dancing and new musical numbers, the show has two gay performers, John Swapshire and Chris Vandenhende. We caught up with both men before the show hits the ATL just after Thanksgiving to talk about how the gig came up, how they compare the musical to the movie and what modern audiences can take away. Howdy, John. How did the show come up for you? Strangely enough, a friend invited me to come audition. I wasn’t that familiar with the musical but I went. I was not that prepared; I almost didn’t go. But I wanted to show my skills and I got it. Who are you in the show? I am part of the ensemble but I also understudy the role of Tito. In the past, Tito was a dancer, a great mentor to all the dancers in the show. Has been doing it for years. He’s strong and everyone loves him. How does the musical differ from the film? The show is a lot different from the movie. It brings some highlights from the film you have your two or three big numbers that people remember - but it has more music and scenes. I think there are 20 extra songs. It also opens up new relationships. We have a live band as well. How does the time period play a role? It deals with issues that were going on during the time. The show takes place during the time Martin Luther King gave his speech. There is a moment where the speech is going on and some of the cast want to go see it. What I love is that we are all one and here together. Having a diverse cast here is
“Dirty Dancing” is now a musical and plays the Cobb Energy Centre Nov. 25-27. (Courtesy photos)
so crucial to the show. The show is perfect for reminding us what we don’t want to go back to. It’s important to keep that diversity moving forward. It’s also about dirty dancing and not wanting to be looked at as a rebel or outcast. It can be hard to do your own thing, but eventually you have to live and enjoy your life
alley and after a while, here I am.
Chris, how did you become a part of the ensemble? For me, it was a long process. I started auditioning for it six months ago and this is my fourth time. This style was right up my
Besides being an ensemble member, you go on sometimes as the lead character Johnny. Tell us about him. He is a tough guy but Baby touches him and he becomes a more sensitive and caring
Why do you think the material is so iconic? To brush up, I did watch the movie. It’s really fun. I think it remains the force that it is because it is so relatable. Many people can relate to Baby with people telling you “no” all the time and having to find the strength to persevere.
Details
‘Dirty Dancing’ November 25 – 27 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Marietta, GA 30339 www.cobbenergycentre.com guy. He finds that there is more than being a cool guy. Baby is different than the women he has encountered. He transitions into a caring gentleman. Johnny has to learn that not everything goes your way all the time. Sometimes you have to roll with the punches.
32 A&E November 11, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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UNBC3194 04/16
EATING MY WORDS By CLIFF BOSTOCK
A night of Korean barbecue at Char in Inman Park I’m writing this the day before voters (hopefully) send Donald Trump back to the Las Vegas asylum from which he escaped two years ago. But if things go as planned, another lunatic, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, will show Hillary his ass in Trump’s stead. He plans to launch a missile in the direction of Guam, just to remind us that North Korea is on the verge of full nuclear weaponry. Fine. Whatever. In fact, you should celebrate Hillary’s election and pay homage to Jong by dining at the new Char Korean Bar and Grill (299 N. Highland Ave., 404-525-2427, www.charatlanta.com). The restaurant’s menu includes meals named after Jong and his deceased father and brother. There’s also a portrait in the bathroom. You would be right to note very dry satire – so dry that I could not follow staffers’ explanations of some of it. Char’s owner is Richard Tang, who was involved in the opening of Craft Izakaya at Krog Street Market. Specializing in Korean barbecue, Char opened in September and seems to have encountered serial impediments. It didn’t have a pouring license when it opened. Then its chef, Ryan Catherall, disappeared and was replaced by the sous chef, Shaun Byun. Then the city extinguished the restaurant’s traditional table-top grills. They’ll be back in use, I’m sure, but their absence created a long wait while the kitchen grilled everything. The small but dense, six-page menu here is divided into starters, specialties like bibimbap and garlic shrimp, and plates of barbecue-grilled meats. The problem was that I could never get a straight answer out of our server as to whether, say, a bowl of the bibimbap was adequate as an entrée. He kept directing our attention to the combo plates of grilled meats. This is what we were inclined to order anyway, but he insisted we order the $60 plate plus the $120 plate. The featured meats were marinated short ribs, bulgogi, brisket, pork belly, spicy pork, and tongue. These were all spectacularly tender and each was individual enough in flavor that they
The combo plate at Char includes marinated short ribs, bulgogi, brisket, pork belly, spicy pork, and tongue. (Photo by Cliff Bostock)
didn’t melt into one big meaty taste. The combos are served with unlimited banchan – the traditional, mainly pickled vegetables that are usual with Korean meals. The variety isn’t as great as I’ve had at many restaurants, but the quality couldn’t be better. That means nothing tasted like it had been sitting in a five-gallon jar for three years. There’s plenty of kimchi, of course. It was mild and, unfortunately, there was nothing on the table that had much of a spicy kick. You are free to eat these meats and condiments as you like. The restaurant provides a mound of lettuce leaves in which to roll the meat with the banchan, rice, and a touch of three sauces available. Or you can eat the meat over rice. Personally, I do not think the five of us needed $180 of meat. I think the $120 plate and a couple of apps would have worked fine. Of course, being too full to waddle didn’t keep us from accepting the restaurant’s offer of free dessert because of the long wait for our food. A fried twinkie with “strawberry fluid gel and double chocolate milk” doesn’t sound very tempting, but it vanished. I think the restaurant’s still got some kinks to work out, but the only Korean barbecue in the area that comes close is at Breakers in Duluth, where you won’t spend quite as much and you get an all-you-can-eat pass. Cliff Bostock is a former psychotherapist now specializing in life coaching. Contact him at 404-518-4415 or cliffbostock@gmail.com.
34 Columnists November 11, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
7 STAGES THEATRE BACKSTAGE 1105 EUCLID AVE. NE ATLANTA
TICKETS: WWW.RONNIELARSEN.COM 954-826-8790
JANUARY 4 -22, 2017
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Our Guide to the Best LGBT Events in Atlanta for November 11-24
T A T GB
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11
A T N LA
EXPOSED, a six-week contemporary dance and physical theater festival featuring Israeli and local artists including gay couple Niv Sheinfled and Oren Laor, runs through November 19 throughout the Atlanta area, www.exposedfestivalatl.com (Publicity photo)
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11
The Atlanta Opera presents the powerful “Silent Night,” the powerful, true story of the spontaneous Christmas truce between French, British and German soldiers during World War I, tonight at 8 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Centre, with an additional performance on Sunday, November 13 at 3 p.m., www.cobbenergycentre.com Those powerhouse lesbian twin sisters Tegan and Sara are in town tonight at The Tabernacle, 8 p.m., www.livenation.com
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Gallery 874 in cooperation with Salamatina Gallery is proud to announce the second solo exhibition of Syrian-born, Atlanta-based artist Nabil Mousa, best known for his startling and inspiring installations “Veil of Ignorance.” The exhibit runs through November 24, Gallery 874, 874 Joseph E Lowery Blvd NW, Atlanta GA 30318, www.gallery874.com Robin S. will be singing her hit “Show Me Love” tonight and more with DJ Mark Demarko also in the house, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., WildPitch Music Hall, 255 Trinity Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.facebook.com/ events/549606425230377/
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Your favorite radical queer pop-up thrift shop is back – and thriftier than ever. Queer Threads is a one-day pop-up thrift shop where you can buy clothing, house items, literature, knick-knacks, electronic media, and more. Proceeds from the event benefit Southern Fried Queer Pride,
36 Best Bets November 11, 2016
while items not sold will go to aid the Southeastern Prison Abolitionist Book Fund and also local queer and trans organizations and nonprofits. Eyedrum Art & Music Gallery, 88 Forsyth St., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.facebook. com/events/1112087065543783
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14
The highly acclaimed gay-themed film “Moonlight,” adapted from a play by Tarell Alvin McCraney, is generating Oscar buzz, Phipps Plaza and the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, various showtimes
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Make your lunch break a networking opportunity and connect with business professionals, small business owners and community sponsors to expand your circle of influence and grow your business at Connecting Atlanta, a networking lunch by MAAP (Metro Atlanta Association of Professionals). Join MAAP at Ri Ra Irish Pub the third Tuesday of every month from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a networking lunch. The event is limited to 20 participants. Please pre-register by emailing riralunch@maapatl.org, 1080 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Prima Presents A Night on Point, a night of light snacks and cocktails in support of the Point Foundation, the national LGBTQ scholarship fund. Admission is free but the suggested donation is $50. 7:15 – 9:15 p.m., Prima Atlanta Printer, 191 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, www.facebook.com/ events/998097016985556
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Enjoy Ruby Redd’s Birdcage Bingo tonight from 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. at The Hideaway Atlanta, www.atlantahideaway.com
www.thegeorgiavoice.com
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14
The Pet Shop Boys will perform some of their greatest hits as well as numbers from their critically acclaimed new album, “Super, “ tonight at 8 p.m. at Atlanta Symphony Hall, www.atlantasymphony.org (Publicity Photo)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17
SAGE Atlanta’s social hour begins at 10 a.m., followed by a program/meeting at 11 a.m., Phillip Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.org Join the directors and procurement team of Georgia Power for the AGLCC (Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) “POWER your business in 2017” Procurement Spotlight, brought to you by the AGLCC University. 5:30 – 8 p.m., Georgia Power, 241 Ralph McGill Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantagaychamber.org Serenbe Playhouse will celebrate its 2017 season announcement with its second in-town Friendraiser in the brand new Defoor Hills complex nestled in the heart of Atlanta’s Upper Westside. It will be an evening of great food, incredible auction items, and sneak peek performances that embrace Serenbe’s Season 8: Rebellion. Cocktails and a silent auction begin at 7 p.m. and performances from next season begin at 8 p.m. with a dance party at 9 p.m., 2300 Defoor Hills, Atlanta, GA
www.thegeorgiavoice.com
30318, www.facebook.com/ events/1085281374873820/ Charis and Cliterati pair up to present an inviting and fierce open mic and reading series on the third Thursday of every month. This month’s feature is a special “feature in the round” of members of the Charis Making Space Writing Group. Their pieces range in style and tone, but they all bring the fire. The suggested donation is $5. 7:30 – 9 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18 – 20
The LGBT Institute is pleased to host its first symposium, presented by Delta Air Lines. The symposium will focus on LGBT civil and human rights scholarship with an emphasis on intersectional research. It will also be a time for networking among academics and advocates, helping enhance coordination and communication to maximize impact. Symposium presentations will focus on one of the Institute’s three main areas: (1) Education & Employment, (2) Criminal Justice & Safety, or (3) Public Health & Wellness. Georgia State Student Center, 55 Gilmer St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.facebook.com/
events/1384151918265864
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18
The LGBT Institute presents its Diversity in Business Forum to kick off its symposium weekend. The forum will explore how businesses in the South are navigating the terrain of inclusion in a time of increasing social change and acceptance of LGBT people. For more detailed information or to have your business sponsor the forum, visit: www.lgbtinstitute.org/forum, 1 – 4 p.m., National Center for Civil and Human Rights, 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30313, www.facebook.com/ events/1606265586344579 Let’s boogie again, ladies, and sweat to the songs that we all love. Women’s Outdoor Network will be playing old favorites and some new ones at their Disco Dance tonight. This is open to all women and no admission fee is required. 7 – 10 p.m., The Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com Murmur presents the release party of WUSSY Mag’s first-ever print issue. The
CONTINUES ON PAGE 38
EVENT SPOTLIGHT FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18
“Spill: Scenes of Black Feminist Fugitivity” is a poetic libation and a meditation in honor of black women seeking freedom by self-described queer black troublemaker and black feminist love evangelist Alexis Pauline Gumbs She will be reading from the book from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Charis Books, www.charisbooks.com (Photo via Facebook)
November 11, 2016 Best Bets 37
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LGBT EVENT Submit your LGBT event for inclusion in our online and print calendars by emailing event info to editor@thegavoice.com CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37 theme of this zine is “Bodies” and features work by Shannon Palumbo, Blane Bussey, MonteQarlo, Pierre Solomon, and other queer visual artists and writers from Atlanta and the greater Southeast. In conjunction with the release party, Atlanta-born photographer Andrew Lyman presents his expansive documentation of queer intimacy, vulnerability, beauty, and futurity in his new show, “Southern Comfort.” Andrew’s photographs follow his experience with queer youth as he watches his friends and loved ones grow and flourish in the spaces they navigate, command, and occupy together. 7 – 10 p.m., Murmur, 100 Broad St., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.facebook.com/ events/1006976989413164/
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Tonight is a benefit to help make the short film “Transit,” about homeless LGBT youth. The event is hosted by Dominique Danielle and Biotch Puddin’ and will also feature performances by Empress Konomi, Montre, Aspen, Kris O, Faith the Poet, Alissa Brooks and Audiwolfe. Tickets are $10 online at www.tranitshortfilmcom or $15 at the door. The red carpet event including art, music, comedy and drag begins at 4:30 p.m. and lasts until 8 p.m., with five percent of the proceeds going to Lost-n-Found Youth, Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com
38 Best Bets November 11, 2016
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Harold Leaver returns in Horizon Theatre’s annual “The Santaland Diaries,” tonight at 8 p.m. running through December 31, www.horizontheatre.com (Publicity photo)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20
The PFLAG support group for parents and families of LGBT children meets today from 2:30 – 4 p.m. at the Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta, 1730
Northeast Expressway NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Trans and Friends is a youth-focused group for trans people, people question-
ing their own gender, and aspiring allies. Charis provides a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources and activism around social issues. Whether
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November 11, 2016 Ads 39
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38 silently or aloud, please come ready to consider your own gender in a transient world. This is a project of the Feminist Outlawz and is co-sponsored by Charis Circle’s Strong Families, Whole Children, 7 – 8:30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22
J’s Lounge is the home for Rainbow Tuesdays, with Dymond Onasis and Nicole Paige Brooks leading the fun and DJ Destin providing house music, 1995 Windy Hill Road #1, Smyrna, GA 30080
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Every Wednesday come out for karaoke at My Sister’s Room, with no cover and all sorts of drink specials. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m., www.mysistersroom.com Enjoy free pool and rotating DJs at Bulldogs, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24
The Pretty Girl Hideout Thursdays is tonight, hosted by Mook Dahost, Soul Bar at Pal’s Lounge, 254 Auburn Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.traxxgirls.com
40 Best Bets November 11, 2016
UPCOMING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27
The first LGBTQ Rainbow Rocks Holiday event will held at the Georgia Aquarium, featuring an evening of fun-filled, family-friendly activities including the Aquarium’s special presentation of AT&T Dolphin Celebration! 4 – 9 p.m., www.facebook.com/ events/1611299329174330/
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3
For more than two decades of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus’ (AGMC) 36-year history, the annual concert at The Cathedral has become a cherished way to kick off the holiday season in style. This year’s concert, “Comfort and Joy,” will be held Friday, 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3 at both 2 and 8 p.m. Its musical trip through the holidays will include a first act comprised of new works and arrangements of old favorites written specifically for gay men’s choruses, including the AGMC. The Cathedral of St. Philip in Buckhead, 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30305, www.voicesofnote.org/ events/comfort-joy/
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Judy Collins sings “Send in the Clowns” and more at City Winery Atlanta tonight, 8 p.m., www.citywinery.com/atlanta/ (Publicity photo)
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CAM FOR QUEERS Country’s rising star on finding Nashville’s gays, country music queerness and why she ‘literally can’t’ perform with the Indigo Girls By CHRIS AZZOPARDI A few years ago, Kacey Musgraves shook up country music’s conservative politics with “Follow Your Arrow,” encouraging people to “...kiss lots of boys, or kiss lots of girls if that’s something you’re into.” Gay-affirming country music artists were already percolating well before the song’s release as a growing number of female country megastars advocated for their large LGBT followings: Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood. But then, in 2013, Musgraves began leading a new wave
Cam picked up a Grammy nod last year for her breakout hit “Burning House” and she’s currently on the road for a fall tour. (Photos courtesy of BB Gun Press)
42 A&E November 11, 2016
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of down-home chart-toppers who’d continue to carry the torch through to a “love is love is love,” post-marriage equality world. Joining Musgraves on her mission to embolden the queer community is Camaron Marvel Ochs, the 31-year-old California native known simply as Cam. Last year, Cam picked up a Grammy nod for “Burning House,” a breakout hit from her debut “Untamed,” ranked No. 15 among Rolling Stone’s 40 Best Country Albums of 2015. Now, the singersongwriter is taking her album on the road for a fall trek entitled the Burning House Tour. Recently, an untamed Cam freewheeled through a variety of queer topics: her quest to find the gays in Nashville, why it feels “totally natural” to embrace her LGBT fans and why Musgraves is her country music girl crush. Being from the Bay Area, I imagine you knew more gay people than some of your small-town country contemporaries. It’s actually probably the weirder thing! For me, it was a reverse of the typical culture shock. I remember showing up to Nashville and being like, “Where are you hiding all of your gays and Asians? Where is everybody?!” (Laughs) It’s a totally different culture. Man, it’s a different thing to understand what it
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means to be outside of the Bay Area. It’s a very special little pocket I got to grow up in. Why do you think you gravitate toward LGBT people? I think I really like people who are authentic and who are very much themselves, and I do think – and I don’t know if this is controversial to say – one weird benefit of the fact that maybe not everybody is fully accepting of queer people in general right now is that the people who are proudly themselves, who are out right now, are spectacular people because think how amazingly brave you have to be just to do the normal thing of being yourself. Most of them are just genuinely themselves, whereas most people don’t make a conscious choice. They don’t feel like they have something on the line about being who they are, so I do feel like there’s this special aura around people who are out, or any kind of queer. Is it still a bold move for a country star to advocate for the gay community? Personally, I think, and especially with women country stars, we have so many gay fans it feels totally natural. The truth is, there’s a part of the country that is still understanding it – they haven’t quite wrapped
their minds around gay culture yet, or some of the people they know who are gay aren’t out to them. There’s a whole host of reasons for all that stuff, but I don’t think they realize that some of their best friends or hairstylists or bankers are gay. There’s some sort of unknown factor that keeps it out of the dialogue in country music sometimes. Obviously, the gay community is everywhere; it’s just not as outwardly present, I guess, in country music yet. So, maybe it feels bold because of that, but it’s not that bold. Who are your country music girl crushes? I love Kacey Musgraves. Obsessed with Kacey Musgraves. And I’m kind of friends with her, so it feels weird to secretly admire her all the time! (Laughs) But man, she’s done such a killer job. I’m always so impressed by her. And then there’s fellow ally Dolly Parton, of course. You recently had a porch sit-down with her. She’s amazing. When you’re talking to her, she’s always got the cutest and sweetest response. And you can see it in her eyes – she knows what she’s saying at all times, and it’s impressive to be around.
Tell me about your obsession with the Indigo Girls. They tweeted at me, and I died. I’ve been to three of their shows, if not four. And I remember one time seeing them walk by, and my mom is like, “Go say hi,” and I said, “No. I literally can’t.” And they tweeted at me: “We love ‘Burning House,’” and they’re like, “We should write some time,” and I’m like, I can’t. I can’t be in the room with them. You know what I mean? It just won’t happen. I can’t do it. Some of your heroes, you just want them to stay heroes. Like, I don’t want you to be a real person. Did your infatuation with the Indigo Girls ever lead people to assume you might be gay? To be honest, some of the people who did listen to the Indigo Girls in choir with me did end up being gay! (Laughs) But a bunch of them were straight too! It was a mix. I was really lucky that when I hit college, an album by the Indigo Girls was the first I found on my own; it didn’t come to me through my parents or through the radio. I found this music and I was obsessed with it. As far as I know nobody asked if I was gay, but I probably would’ve been very complimented because I love the Indigo Girls so much! (Laughs)
November 11, 2016 A&E 43
THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID By MELISSA CARTER
Why Millie Pete really left Atlanta “I bet that you miss that little boy.” That was said more than once to my mother while attending my aunt’s funeral. Millie Pete’s sister passed on Halloween and we were in Kentucky a few days later celebrating her life. The gathering family knew Mom had moved to Atlanta when my son was born and had recently returned to her private home in Nashville. “Very much.” That was her standard reply, and she didn’t continue further as to why being a new grandmother couldn’t wash away the bad experiences she endured while living in Buckhead. These experiences I haven’t shared publicly until now. Millie Pete never sold her house in Tennessee, opting for a way back in case she didn’t enjoy her assisted living experience here. She did look forward to a dorm-like experience where she could easily make new friends and not have the responsibility of cooking and cleaning now that her vision was impaired. The staff was wonderful and helpful, the food was delicious, and she did make new friends easily. But her favorite activity of the week was the Friday night slumber parties with Mr. Carter. Then she got a cold. Not used to being sick, Mom blew it off to allergies but we soon realized she had pneumonia and put her in the hospital. They treated her lifethreatening infection for nearly a week, then sent her to a rehab facility for lung treatments and physical therapy so that Mom’s equilibrium wouldn’t be negatively affected by the constant bed-rest. That stint lasted two months, through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, making Millie Pete vow not to go through that again. Then she fell a few weeks later. Mom seemed fine following the slight fall from her chair to the floor, having missed the edge of her seat one morning while feeling lightheaded. She only felt a minor soreness on the side where she fell, but her nurse wanted to make sure she was okay and sent
“Constantly asking for an update and being repeatedly told she needed to stay a few more weeks, I had enough and said I demanded her release. Getting nowhere, I actually had a lawyer I know call to question any Medicare fraud going on. Ironically, Mom was ready to go within the next 30 minutes.” her to the doctor for X-rays. The nurse didn’t realize Mom would not return for weeks. The hospital determined she had broken some minor bones and decided to keep her. There didn’t seem to be any timetable, and after a few days they sent her back to the same rehab facility as before. This time they also determined she had an intestinal infection, and someone with a low immune system like I have as a kidney recipient shouldn’t be around her. So my visits were limited, and her time seemed to be extended. Even the nurse at her facility was confused. Constantly asking for an update and being repeatedly told she needed to stay a few more weeks, I had enough and said I demanded her release. Getting nowhere, I actually had a lawyer I know call to question any Medicare fraud going on. Ironically, Mom was ready to go within the next 30 minutes. Elderly, blind, surrounded by strangers, and unhappy with her constant hospital or rehab environment for several months, Millie Pete decided to return to her own home in Nashville. Does she miss her grandson? Absolutely. Does she miss being targeted as an old woman with good insurance? Absolutely not. Melissa Carter is one of the Morning Show hosts on B98.5. In addition, she is a writer for the Huffington Post. She is recognized as one of the first out radio personalities in Atlanta and one of the few in the country. Follow her on Twitter@MelissaCarter
44 Columnists November 11, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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SOMETIMES ‘Y’ By RYAN LEE
Reciting (and resisting) a pledge of convenience I’ve always thought it was weird how children are the only citizens who regularly have to recite a loyalty oath to our country. It’s probably been more than a decade since you said the Pledge of Allegiance, as most adults prove their patriotism simply by standing during the national anthem at sporting events. Yet, we make children pledge their allegiance to the United States, and we make them do it every day, like we suspect they’re using recess to plot an underaged overthrow of our government. This is the type of subversive curiosity that benignly bounces around my head, but has suddenly gone from theoretical to my living room. My nephew’s school sent home a note instructing him to wear all white next Thursday because his class will form a human U.S. flag as they sing patriotic songs for, in no particular order, troops and social media. “We’re going to make a video for the people who make us free,” my nephew told me, sounding like any properly indoctrinated elementary school student. I believe most soldiers fight for a paycheck and the comrade beside them more than any sense of patriotism, that wars rarely have anything to do with freedom or justice, and that our cultural sentimentality for the warriorhero gives politicians the capital to send more people, other people, to unnecessary death, supposedly to “make us free.” I suspect that conveying this to a 7-year-old could get both of us placed on a terrorist watch list. “There are many brave men and women who went through a lot for this country,” I said. “And the best way we can honor them is to do everything we can to make sure there are never anymore wars.” Instead of explaining to him my concerns about his participation in the nationalistic, warmongering propaganda that has become Veterans Day, I went shopping so his white shirt would be extra clean and crisp. As someone suddenly thrust into guardianship of a young mind, I sometimes tell him things that I realize mid-sentence I don’t believe, but
“My wariness was learned during our first weekend of living together, when he told me he knew Santa wasn’t real. I rubbed his hair and complimented him for being such a big boy, then was devastated by the hopelessness in his eyes as he looked up and asked, ‘So he’s not?’” which are the easiest way to answer his questions without destroying his emotional core. My wariness was learned during our first weekend of living together, when he told me he knew Santa wasn’t real. I rubbed his hair and complimented him for being such a big boy, then was devastated by the hopelessness in his eyes as he looked up and asked, “So he’s not?” I’ve kept quiet when people ask him whether he’s got a girlfriend because, as embarrassed as he gets by the question, it would probably be more awkward for me to start warning about gendered expectations. But there are parts of me that want to encourage questions about his girlfriend: my insecurity that our family will think I steered him toward homosexuality, and my hope that he enjoys the ease of heterosexuality. When I came out, the only discomfort my mother expressed to me was about my safety, and how much more difficult my life would be if I were gay. Parental objection toward their child being LGBT is not always based in religion and spite, but often another way parents think they’re protecting their child’s emotional core. I’ve been upfront with my nephew about my sexual orientation with the hope that he, like the rest of my family, will know that the easy, default mindset is not the only way to understand the world. Ryan Lee is an Atlanta writer.
46 Columnists November 11, 2016 www.thegeorgiavoice.com
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