12/25/15, Vol. 6 Issue 21

MARS HALLMAN 2015 GEORGIA VOICE PERSON OF THE YEAR

South Georgia teen’s GSA fight gives a glimpse of the future of the LGBT rights movement

By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com

PHOTO BY WENDA G. BAILEY

As LGBT people across the state came down from the late-June high of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on marriage equality, little did they know there was a fight brewing in South Georgia that would give a peek into what the future of the movement will look like post-marriage.

The controversy was about the proposed formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at Berrien High School in tiny Nashville, Georgia. The incident pitted students against students and parents against parents, with a group of faith leaders spreading a petition across town to stop the formation of the club and a school board under fire and facing legal action if it didn’t follow federal law.

Standing tall in the middle of the fracas—all 5-foot-3-inches of them—was Mars Hallman. The now 17-year-old Berrien High student, who recently came out as nonbinary and prefers they/them/their pronouns, led the charge for creating the GSA after being fed up with the way them and their LGBT friends were being treated by fellow students.

A town divided It’s hard to imagine there could be such an uproar over the 10 or so students who have been meeting this fall as part of Berrien High School’s new GSA. CONTINUES ON PAGE 16

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Brief Summary of Patient Information about GENVOYA GENVOYA (jen-VOY-uh) (elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide) tablets Important: Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with GENVOYA. There may be new information about GENVOYA. This information is only a summary and does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment.

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What is GENVOYA? GENVOYA is a prescription medicine that is used without other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older: • who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past or • to replace their current HIV-1 medicines in people who have been on the same HIV-1 medicines for at least 6 months, have an amount of HIV-1 in their blood (“viral load”) that is less than 50 copies/mL, and have never failed past HIV-1 treatment HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. GENVOYA contains the prescription medicines elvitegravir (VITEKTA®), cobicistat (TYBOST®), emtricitabine (EMTRIVA®) and tenofovir alafenamide.

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Who should not take GENVOYA? Do not take GENVOYA if you also take a medicine that contains: • alfuzosin hydrochloride (Uroxatral®) • carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, Tegretol-XR®, Teril®) • cisapride (Propulsid®, Propulsid Quicksolv®) • ergot-containing medicines, including: dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot®, Migergot®, Ergostat®, Medihaler Ergotamine®, Wigraine®, Wigrettes®), and methylergonovine maleate (Ergotrate®, Methergine®) • lovastatin (Advicor®, Altoprev®, Mevacor®) • midazolam, when taken by mouth • phenobarbital (Luminal®) • phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®) • pimozide (Orap®) • rifampin (Rifadin®, Rifamate®, Rifater®, Rimactane®) • sildenafil (Revatio®), when used for treating lung problems • simvastatin (Simcor®, Vytorin®, Zocor®) • triazolam (Halcion®) • the herb St. John’s wort or a product that contains St. John’s wort

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking GENVOYA? Before taking GENVOYA, tell your healthcare provider if you: • have liver problems including hepatitis B infection • have kidney or bone problems • have any other medical conditions • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if GENVOYA can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking GENVOYA. Pregnancy registry: there is a pregnancy registry for women who take HIV-1 medicines during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry.

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take GENVOYA. – You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.

– At least one of the medicines in GENVOYA can pass to your baby in your breast milk. It is not known if the other medicines in GENVOYA can pass into your breast milk.

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Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how GENVOYA works.

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• You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with GENVOYA. • Do not start a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider.

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magnesium hydroxide or calcium carbonate during treatment with GENVOYA, take it at least 2 hours before or after you take GENVOYA. Do not change your dose or stop taking GENVOYA without first talking with your healthcare provider. Stay under a healthcare provider’s care when taking GENVOYA. Do not miss a dose of GENVOYA. If you take too much GENVOYA, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

When your GENVOYA supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to GENVOYA and become harder to treat.

What are the possible side effects of GENVOYA? GENVOYA may cause serious side effects, including: • See “What is the most important information I should know about GENVOYA?” • Changes in body fat can happen in people who take HIV-1 medicine. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the middle of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The exact cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known.

• Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having any new symptoms after starting your HIV-1 medicine.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys before you start and while you are taking GENVOYA. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking GENVOYA if you develop new or worse kidney problems.

• Bone problems can happen in some people who take GENVOYA. Bone problems may include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bones.

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Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

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You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

General information about the safe and effective use of GENVOYA. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use GENVOYA for a condition for which it was not prescribed.

Do not give GENVOYA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

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This Brief Summary summarizes the most important information about GENVOYA. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about GENVOYA that is written for health professionals.

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Keep GENVOYA and all medicines out of reach of children.

Issued: November 2015

EMTRIVA, GENVOYA, the GENVOYA Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, TYBOST, and VITEKTA are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2015 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. GENC0002 11/15

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GEORGIANEWS

2016 Gold Dome preview A perfect storm with RFRA, possible marriage equality backlash, SEC primary

“Every single legislative session has its own unique challenges. We’ve got a lot of unique challenges this coming year that frankly we’ve never seen before.”

By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com Hold onto your hats, folks. A perfect storm is brewing for the next legislative session, featuring round three of a so-called “religious freedom” bill, a possible backlash to the U.S. Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage, and the SEC primary on March 1, when seven Southern states hold Democratic and Republican presidential primaries.

“Every single legislative session has its own unique challenges,” says Georgia Equality (GE) Executive Director Jeff Graham. “We’ve got a lot of unique challenges this coming year that frankly we’ve never seen before.”

The new primary is the brainchild of Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who by moving up the primary date makes Georgia a bigger player in the 2016 presidential race. So expect a ton of GOP candidate visits to the Peach State as the date approaches, with religious freedom and marriage equality on the tips of their tongues and ready to make headlines.

The primary is also forcing many legislators to make this a short session, which means a flurry of bills in an even shorter amount of time than usual. We’re hearing that legislators are targeting an adjournment date of mid-March, a huge time crunch considering the last session didn’t end until the first week of April.

The return of RFRA The number one concern of LGBT activists this upcoming session will be the third go-round of a so-called “religious freedom” bill, modeled in part on the federal Religious Freedom and Restoration Act (RFRA).

Last we heard of Sen. Josh McKoon’s (R-Columbus) Senate Bill 129, it had stalled in the House Judiciary Committee in March after former Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Brookhaven) introduced an anti-discrimination amend-

—Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham

Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham says a so-called ‘religious freedom’ bill will be their major focus this session. (File photo)

ment to the bill. The amendment passed, the bill’s supporters tabled it and that’s where it remains, waiting to be addressed again when the next session starts in January.

State Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) will try a third time to pass a so-called ‘religious freedom’ bill this session. (File photo)

Opponents of the bill have latched onto statements by supporters that an anti-discrimination clause would “gut” it.

“In the last public comments they made it clear that what we had been saying all along is really true, that they were looking to find a vehicle to specifically be able to deny services to the LGBT community,” Graham says.

However, McKoon claims that the Jacobs amendment was not an anti-discrimination amendment.

“The Jacobs amendment and the debate around it, it was obviously a poison pill amendment designed to make the bill meaningless so that the bill cannot move forward,” he tells Georgia Voice.

Business community speaks up early Both the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce have voiced their support for a RFRA bill only if it includes anti-discrimination language, and both the Metro Atlanta Cham-

ber and the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) published studies showing a massive economic hit should the legislature adopt a bill without it. However, McKoon has been critical of the studies, saying the questions were loaded and comparisons to a similar bill in Indiana were inaccurate.

Critics of McKoon cite the fact that he’s heading into an election year—might he be spearheading legislation like RFRA for the third straight year and another bill that would make English the official language of Georgia (even though it already is) in order to fire up his base in advance of next November?

McKoon calls such notions “laughable,” saying there is a “sustained assault on religious freedom that’s been going on in our state for years and years” and notes how the criticism is personal to him.

“Let me tell you what, I would have much rather not had the last six months of my mother’s life her reading in the newspaper about her son being a bigot and her son hating people. It was pretty unpleasant,” he says.

Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta), lesbian Rep. Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) and Shelley Rose, Associate Director of the Anti-Defamation League, confirmed that the defeat of RFRA would be a major focus of theirs.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 8

6 News December 25, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

policy recommendations on World AIDS Day and will work from that list to decide.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 But there will be one less LGBT voice under the Gold Dome to fight it next year after the recent resignation of lesbian Rep. Simone Bell (D-Atlanta).

“Her loss will be huge and we will feel that,” says Waites. “She was very active and vocal during the conversation and debate during RFRA. So Rep. Drenner and I will have to step up in an extraordinary way.”

Georgia Equality beefed up the presence of faith leaders in opposition to the bill this past session, a strategy Graham says GE will continue to use in the upcoming session.

The group is also in talks with former Georgia Attorney General Mike Bowers about returning to provide additional legal analysis as he did last session.

Hate crimes legislation on the way Georgia is one of only five states without hate crimes legislation, a fact that led the Anti-Defamation League to recently announce a 50 States Against Hate Campaign to get that number down to zero. But don’t expect Georgia to come off that list this next session, says ADL’s Rose.

“I think to get something passed this year would be very optimistic,” she tells Georgia Voice. “But the plan is on getting something introduced, get a hearing and begin conversation around that now with the legislators.”

Georgia Equality is spread thin with the RFRA fight, but it will be working closely with ADL on the campaign. However, Gra-

Lesbian state Rep. Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) has pre-filed a bill that would ban so-called gay “conversion therapy” for people under 18. (Courtesy photo)

ham shares a similar outlook with Rose on legislation passing in 2016.

“Unfortunately, since there’s no Republican support for it and we haven’t been able to get any hearings on it, I think we may need to start a bit from scratch on hate crimes,” Graham says.

However, Sen. Fort confirms he will take up Senate Bill 47 again, a hate crimes bill that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. He also says he is meeting with fellow members of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus to make a final decision on which HIV/AIDS legislation they will tackle during the next session. The group introduced 10

LGBT employment discrimination bill up for fourth time In the meantime, the major bit of offense LGBT leaders will be playing involves lesbian Rep. Karla Drenner’s (D-Avondale Estates) Fair Employment Practices Act, which would prohibit discrimination against state employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. This will be the fourth go-round for FEPA, which failed to pass in the last session despite having 77 co-sponsors, including 17 Republicans and 1 Independent.

Rep. Drenner was unavailable for comment.

Graham confirms Georgia Equality will be actively involved in helping to pass the bill, which he says will help them read the tea leaves as to the future of hate crimes legislation.

“If we see advancement on FEPA, that really is I think Republicans starting to test the waters to see if they can really support [hate crimes legislation] without ruining their political career,” he says.

But don’t expect much more than that as far as pro-LGBT legislation this next session.

“I don’t think we will end up with any other piece of broader civil rights legislation that we’ll see introduced this next year,” Graham says.

Gay ‘conversion therapy’ ban bill introduced On Dec. 11, Rep. Waites pre-filed House Bill 716, which would outlaw so-called gay “conversion therapy” for people under the

age of 18. The practice has been debunked and deemed harmful by most major medical, psychiatric and psychological organizations.

However, the odds are long on the bill getting much traction.

“Unfortunately it’s a very partisan environment down there so it’s very difficult to get anything done as a Democrat, specifically being a junior member,” Waites says.

Georgia Equality’s Graham adds, “It’s not one of the things that we’re actively speaking on now. Not that it’s not an important issue but we have a pretty hefty list, both defense and offense, that we’re working with right now. There’s always going to be more need and a desire for more legislation than what we can realistically and feasibly take on.”

Waites also says she is working on language for and will re-introduce an anti-bullying bill that will include sexual orientation and gender identity.

And it’s unclear at this point if there will be any legislation filed as a backlash to June’s marriage equality decision, although many would say the third RFRA fight is evidence of such. But LGBT activists and politicians are at the ready should any legislators attempt to make it “marriage light” for samesex couples in Georgia.

“We have not been able to verify anything specific,” says Graham. “Nothing has been pre-filed. No one in the legislature is actually talking about specific legislation that they intend to file, so a lot of it is still out there in the political discourse realm.”

Meet the 24-year-old queer woman running for Simone Bell’s former seat

By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com A special election will take place on Jan. 19 to decide who replaces lesbian former Rep. Simone Bell (D-Atlanta) in House District 58. Joining Former state Rep. Ralph Long (D-Atlanta) and attorney Kwame Thompson in the race is political newcomer Park Cannon, a 24-year-old women’s wellness advocate for the Feminist Women’s Health Center.

Bell called Cannon soon after she decided to resign, encouraging her to make a run for the seat.

“One of the things that was really important to me was to think about what’s missing in the chamber and what’s missing in the conversations, what’s missing in a seat

for someone who can actually vote?,” Bell says. “That’s how I started thinking about who would be a particularly good person in this position. And when I called Park I thought about reproductive justice and what she could bring to that conversation.”

Cannon stresses that while she’s new to politics, she’s not new to policy. She cites education, jobs and health care (specifically Medicaid expansion) as some of the issues of importance to her. And should Cannon win on Jan. 19, it will be another voice added to the mix in opposition to RFRA. “I do see the possibility of discrimination if there is a bill passed into law that speaks about the importance of an institution without directly addressing the ability to discriminate,” she says. “There has to be

a nondiscrimination clause.”

Cannon’s election would be historic in that she would be the first openly queer-identified individual in the state legislature.

“I identify as queer, which is different from lesbian,” she stresses. “I identify as a person who is carrying with me at all times genderqueer people, asexual people, transgender individuals. That is very different and that is a good thing here in the state of Georgia. As a person who is outspoken about myself and outspoken about my truth, I hope to bring healing to people. I hope to bring excitement to our community who are marginalized and underrepresented.”

Cannon says her campaign has raised $10,000 from over 90 donors, has $15,000 in pledges and has a fundraising goal of $50,000.

Park Cannon is a political newcomer with a background in reproductive justice.

(Courtesy photo)

8 News December 25, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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Cultures collide and a friendly dinner conversation quickly explodes into something far deeper and more dangerous.

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NEWSBRIEFS Group petitions GA officials to erect ‘Gay Pride Festivus Pole’ A free speech group that focuses on LGBT rights has reportedly petitioned state authorities to erect a “Gay Pride Festivus Pole” at the State Capitol.

The AJC reports that the pole is 6’ 6” tall, painted with purple glitter and rainbow colors and topped with a disco ball. If you think it’s farfetched that this will get approved, think again. The pole has already been displayed at the Florida State Capitol and was recently approved by officials in Oklahoma.

“Why Georgia? Really? Why not, given Georgia’s historical tolerance for differing views (wink),” Humanity Fund director Chaz Stevens wrote the to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an email. “If anyone in the South could use an erection, it’s those Confederate flag waving lunkheads.”

Festivus was of course introduced to the masses on “Seinfeld.” The fictional holiday is celebrated on Dec. 23 and is a secular alternative to the commercialism of the Christmas season that includes a family dinner where celebrants take part in an “airing of grievances” followed by a “feats of strength” contest.

Judge rules Cochran lawsuit against city, mayor can move forward A federal judge ruled on Dec. 16 that the lawsuit filed by former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran against the city and Mayor Kasim Reed will move forward, however, several of Cochran’s claims were dismissed.

Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-LGBT legal group, filed the lawsuit on Cochran’s behalf in February after Mayor Reed fired him following the discovery of Cochran’s self-published book. In the book were passages comparing homosexuality to bestiality and pedophilia. The city filed a motion to dismiss in March and Cochran got his first day in court in October.

Cochran made nine claims against the city and Mayor Reed, and U.S. District Court Judge Leigh Martin May ruled on the motion to dismiss in her filing. May ruled in favor of Cochran on the claims of retaliation, discrimination based on his viewpoint, and violation of his constitutionally protected freedoms of religion, association, and due process (firing without following proper procedure).

Atlanta earns perfect score on HRC Municipal Equality Index Atlanta continues to lead on workplace

Chaz Stevens, Executive Director of The Humanity Fund, is on a crusade to erect gay ‘Festivus Poles’ nationwide. (Screecap image)

equality while the rest of the state lags behind. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released its annual Municipal Equality Index on Dec. 17 and Atlanta earned a perfect score for the third year in a row.

According to a statement released by HRC, the average score for cities in Georgia is 33 out of 100 points, which falls below the national average of 56.

Here’s how other cities in Georgia fared in HRC’s rankings: Athens: 19, AugustaRichmond: 12, Avondale Estates: 41, Columbus: 40, Decatur: 28, North Druid Hills: 12, Savannah: 19.

Savannah now becomes one of only fourteen jurisdictions in Georgia to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes.

Forty-seven cities earned perfect 100-point scores, up from 38 in 2014. Atlanta’s perfect score was awarded as a result of a set standard of LGBT inclusiveness, with exemplary policies ranging from nondiscrimination laws and equal employee benefits, to cutting-edge city services, according to HRC. The full report can be read online at www.hrc.org.

Queer, trans identities centered in Black Lives Matter Atlanta chapter It was standing room only inside the fellowship hall of the historic Big Bethel AME Church on Dec. 17 for the first meeting of the Atlanta chapter of Black Lives Matter. Nearly 200 people responded to a call to action in defense of countless African-Americans, both known and unknown, who have been slaughtered at the hands of a corrupt police state.

The contributions of queer and trans folks to Black Lives Matter Atlanta are intentionally centered in the movement.

A lesson in preferred gender pronouns permeated the space early on during the meeting. This set the tone for affirmation of all black lives regardless of one’s level of understanding of queer-identified people.

“There was a collective intention to ensure folks knew LGBT people were not only in the room but at the core of this Atlanta chapter being organized,” said Anthony Antoine, an Atlanta activist and HIV prevention counselor.

Mary Hooks, organizer of the local chapter, tells Georgia Voice “that the next three years in Atlanta and Georgia will be game changers.”

10 News December 25, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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December 25, 2015 Ads 11

YEARINREVIEW

Confronting Georgia’s next LGBT civil rights battle and more Georgia’s top LGBT stories for 2015

to show up at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot nightclub for an estimated 4,000 women due to a small presence of gay men.

Brown took to Twitter to deny ever being booked for the event, but his team soon backed away from the denial, reportedly returning the deposit after threats of a lawsuit

by Traxx Girls founder Melissa Scott.

By DARIAN AARON daaron@thegavoice.com The year began with religious freedom controversies, thanks to Atlanta’s former fire chief and a Republican senator, but by the beginning of summer, a watershed moment in the fight for marriage equality had occurred. During the course of the year there were setbacks, devastating losses and incredible triumphs. We take a look back at the stories that had us all talking, tweeting and Facebooking in 2015.

Former fire chief files complaint, federal lawsuit against city Former Atlanta Fire Chief and conservative martyr Kelvin Cochran filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint against the city of Atlanta, the first step in filing a federal lawsuit, after his job was terminated by Mayor Kasim Reed upon discovering that Cochran self-published a book titled “Who Told You That You Were Naked?” in which he compared homosexuality to pedophilia and bestiality, as well as making anti-Semitic and misogynistic remarks.

Attorneys from faith-based organization Alliance Defending Freedom filed a federal lawsuit against Reed and the city in February on Cochran’s behalf, saying Cochran was terminated due to his religious beliefs. A federal judge has decided that the case will proceed to trial.

‘Religious freedom’ bill introduced, dies in House Judiciary Committee It was the most contentious piece of legislation affecting the LGBT community to be addressed by Georgia lawmakers in 2015. SB 129, the so-called “religious freedom bill,” introduced in February by Sen. Josh McKoon (R- Columbus), made national headlines and spurred reaction from conservative supporters, unlikely allies, and the local business community and progressive city officials.

During the four-month political discourse surrounding SB 129, progressive and LGBT

Senator Josh McKoon’s (R-Columbus) failed religious freedom bill and the fallout from the dress code at Blake’s On The Park were major stories in 2015. (File photos)

rights groups rallied in strong opposition and pressured major corporations to speak out publicly against the bill. Georgia Voice also broke a story revealing McKoon’s ties to a Columbus-based anti-LGBT ministry.

Republican Mike Jacobs of Brookhaven added anti-discrimination language to SB 129 on March 26 and rather than voting, supporters of the bill tabled it, effectively killing the bill until the start of the 2016 legislative session, when it is expected to be reintroduced.

Transgender inmate Ashley Diamond The year for Ashley Diamond started out as a series of dehumanizing events as an inmate in the Georgia Department of Corrections system.

After being denied hormone therapy and subjected to verbal and sexual assaults as a transgender woman housed in an all-male prison, she filed a federal lawsuit with the help of the Montgomery, Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center.

After three years of incarceration, Diamond was granted early release in August.

Blake’s on the Park dress code controversy A dress code posted in the front window of popular Atlanta gay bar, Blake’s on the Park became a lightning rod of controversy and racial division after it was shared numerous times on social media. Critics voiced their disapproval of the sign, which they believed targeted

African-American gay men in an attempt to dissuade people of color from entering.

Blake’s management insisted the dress code was enacted to ensure the safety of all patrons and to curb a pattern of violence and theft then happening in Midtown. The sign was removed shortly after the online backlash began.

Atlanta’s Rainbow Crosswalks The intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue became even gayer than before with the installation of rainbow crosswalks in time for Atlanta Pride in October. City officials approved the $40,000 public art project of Robert Sepulveda Jr., which included donations from the community to raise the necessary funds to bring the project to fruition.

It was no surprise that anger erupted after it was announced that the crosswalks would be temporary instead of a permanent fixture as originally promised. Citing “safety concerns,” the crosswalks were granted a temporary permit from Oct. 3–16 and were removed shortly thereafter.

Chris Brown bails on Atlanta Black Gay Pride performance R&B singer Chris Brown continued to live down to his reputation as an irresponsible and homophobic entertainer when he bailed on a scheduled performance for the women of Traxx Girls during Atlanta Black Gay Pride. Georgia Voice broke the viral story that was picked up by dozens of major media outlets after Brown failed

Beloved Atlanta drag queen Lateasha Shuntel dies The sudden passing of popular drag performer Lateasha Shuntel stunned members of the Atlanta LGBT and drag community.

Shuntel was mainstay at Blake’s on The Park and a distributor for David Atlanta. Shuntel’s colleague, Shavonna Brooks, broke the news of her passing on Facebook.

Shuntel’s David Atlanta colleagues created a GoFundMe account to cover funeral expenses. It quickly exceeded the initial goal.

A moving tribute was also held in Shuntel’s memory at Blake’s on the Park.

Former YouthPride director Terence McPhaul dies Almost a month passed before word of Terence McPhaul’s death at 52 made its way back to Atlanta. The controversial former executive director of YouthPride passed away on Nov. 16 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was laid to rest on Nov. 25.

McPhaul joined YouthPride as co-executive director in 2009 before becoming the sole executive director in January 2010. A series of controversial episodes followed and were documented in Georgia Voice and other local gay media outlets.

Atlanta at center of HIV/AIDS news From the unveiling of the Fulton County Task Force strategy to end AIDS to several major conferences addressing the increase of new HIV infections in gay and bisexual men of color, Atlanta was at the center of a flurry of HIV/AIDS news, initiatives and events at the close of the year.

More than 3,000 HIV experts descended on Atlanta in early December for the 2015 National HIV Prevention Conference (NHPC).

A counter-conference of HIV/AIDS groups and activists was also held to demand attention to HIV criminalization and the expansion of Medicaid, among other initiatives.

12 News December 25, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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YEARINREVIEW

The year of marriage, Kim Davis, Caitlyn Jenner and Republican hatred Top national, international LGBT stories of 2015

that employers may not ‘rely upon sex-based considerations’ or take gender into account when making employment decisions.

By LISA KEEN To be the “best year ever” in LGBT history, 2015 had to do better than 2013. That was the year the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the key section of the federal Defense of Marriage Act and allowed a decision to stand that enabled same-sex couples in California to marry; the U.S. Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act for the first time and got its first openly gay member; five state legislatures passed marriage equality laws, and President Obama’s inaugural address prominently endorsed the LGBT struggle for equality.

Did 2015 do better? These 10 “top stories” make a strong case for “yes!”

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down state bans on same-sex marriage The U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 26 that state bans on marriage for same-sex couples are unconstitutional and that states must recognize marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples from other states. The 5 to 4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges ended bans enforced by 13 states and secured lower court decisions that struck down bans in nine other states.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority, stated that “the right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of the person, and under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment, couples of the same sex may not be deprived of that right and that liberty.…

The Court now holds that same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry.

No longer may this liberty be denied to them.”

Ireland approves same-sex marriage, and more In the world’s first-ever national referendum on giving legal recognition to marriages of same-sex couples, Irish voters in May weighed in 2 to 1 for legalization. More than 60 percent of the country’s voters turned out to have their say. And by December 2, the legislature had approved a bill that prohibits Catholic-run schools from discriminating against teachers

The public transition of Olympic hero Caitlyn Jenner and the legalization of nationwide marriage equality were top stories in 2015. (Photo credit: Screencap image; file photo)

based on their sexual orientation.

The legislation repeals an existing law, known as Section 37, which allowed discrimination against employees based on their sexual orientation. The bill now goes to President Michael Higgins for his signature.

Catholic leaders maintain opposition to same-sex marriage At a three-week-long global summit, Catholic bishops in October rejected efforts to soften the church’s policies against homosexuality and samesex marriage. Instead, the document approved by 86 percent of more than 258 bishops gathered in Rome said that “every person, independently of their sexual tendency, must be respected in their dignity and welcomed with respect.” But it also stated that there was “no foundation whatsoever to assimilate or establish analogies, even remotely, between homosexual unions and God’s design for marriage and the family.”

A state clerk tries to mount campaign against Supreme Court A county clerk in Kentucky, Kim Davis, captured national headlines for weeks as she attempted to circumvent a U.S. Supreme Court decision that found state bans against marriage for same-sex couples to be unconstitutional.

Davis and her supporters portrayed her continued refusal to issue marriage licenses to samesex couples as an exercise of her religious beliefs, but others—including a few Republican presidential candidates—said she was violating

her oath of office to carry out the law.

In August, the full U.S. Supreme Court denied an emergency request to stop enforcement of a federal district court order that Davis resume issuing marriage licenses.

Pope Francis denies he offered support to outlaw clerk Pope Francis stunned LGBT people when it was revealed that he secretly accepted a visit from Kentucky clerk Kim Davis during his wildly popular visit to the United States.

Davis and her attorney characterized the visit, which took place at the Vatican’s embassy in Washington, D.C., as an expression of the pope’s support for her defiance of the Supreme Court’s ruling that bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. But in short order, the Vatican issued a statement saying the pope did not know about or support Davis’ efforts to subvert the Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage and noted, instead, that the only audience the pope gave while in the United States was to a gay friend and his partner.

EEOC says Title VII prohibits LGBT discrimination The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled in July that existing federal law prohibits employment discrimination against federal workers based on sexual orientation. The five-member commission said that the prohibition of sex discrimination in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 “means

GOP candidates flaunt their hostility toward LGBT people Many candidates for the Republican presidential nomination for 2016 have worn their hostility for equal rights for LGBT people on their sleeves. U.S. Senator Rand Paul said LGBT people wouldn’t need nondiscrimination laws if they would just stay in the closet. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson said allowing same-sex couples to marry is equivalent to tossing the “word of God ... into the garbage.”

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz said he wanted a new ban on LGBT people in the military.

Meanwhile, all three Democratic presidential hopefuls have expressed strong support for equal rights for LGBT people.

Houston repeals city’s anti-discrimination law Houston voters on November 3 voted 3 to 2 to repeal a year-old nondiscrimination ordinance—a repeal that appeared to be largely driven by a campaign that claimed the law would enable sexual predators to enter women’s restrooms to assault young girls.

The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance passed the City Council in May 2014 as an effort to prohibit discrimination based on numerous factors, including race, ethnicity and religion. But opponents of prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity convinced voters that HERO amounted to a “Bathroom Ordinance.”

Olympic legend comes out publicly as transgender Bruce Jenner, the United States’ 1976 Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon, acknowledged in a Vanity Fair interview and on national television in April that she has always felt she is a woman and that she would, going forward, live life as a woman, Caitlyn Jenner.

The resulting publicity prompted a flood of discussions publicly and nationally about transgender people: their prevalence, their needs, their fears, and their medical and legal challenges. While violence and discrimination against transgender people continues, Jenner’s openness undoubtedly advanced the American public’s understanding.

14 News December 25, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Teen’s story captures attention of GLSEN “I maintained the label of lesbian to try to make the transition of adding a GSA to my community easier for myself and for other people around me, and I realized that I don’t have to sacrifice myself to wait around for other people to catch up to me.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “We’ve had a lot of very good discussions about how it’s okay to be yourself and we’ve mostly just been having fun,” Hallman tells Georgia Voice.

The GSA just presented a check to a local animal shelter. Next semester they’re teaming up with other GSAs to do park cleanups.

It was a long way to get to this point since the day Hallman arrived home from school in spring, tired of hearing the words “faggot,” “queer” and “dyke” ring out in derision throughout the halls of Berrien High.

Instead of wilting, they sprang into action, looked online and discovered GSAs. They researched what was needed to start one at their school, reviewed school system policy and looked up federal laws. They lined up a club sponsor and presented everything to their school principal, who gave them a “maybe” but later came back and turned them down.

Undeterred, Hallman called a meeting with the principal and the school superintendent and cited the Federal Equal Access Act, which requires that federally funded public schools provide equal access to extracurricular clubs. That did the trick.

The school board approved the club in May, but local faith leaders circulated a petition against it, gathering 1,300 signatures. One pastor read the petition at the June school board meeting, but the board held firm, nudged along by a strongly worded letter from the ACLU. Georgia Voice broke Hallman’s story in early July when there was one school board meeting to go and one final shot for opponents of the GSA to fight its creation before school started in August. The club stayed.

GLSEN awards ‘a bit mind-blowing’ Looking back on that tumultuous time, Hallman says, “There was a lot of mixed and highly emotional reactions, some of it very personal. I think that for every person who signed a petition against my actions or who had a prayer rally against me and students like me, there were two more people who would send messages of support.”

Hallman’s story captured the attention of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which honored them as the national Student Advocate of the Year at the group’s 2015 Respect Awards in October.

—Mars Hallman

Mars Hallman says the GSA is planning to propose adding gender expression to Berrien High School’s anti-bullying policy and adding a gender-neutral restroom in January.

(Photo by Wenda G. Bailey)

They met a string of celebrities at the ritzy Beverly Hills affair, including Julia Roberts, Jim Parsons, and Zachary Quinto.

Justin Timberlake and wife Jessica Biel even name checked Hallman twice while accepting GLSEN’s Inspiration Award.

“It was a bit mind-blowing to know that the people around me that I hero worship turn around and tell me that I was a hero,” Hallman says of the night. “It was a redirection of energies that I never expected.”

But while hanging with celebrities stood out, Hallman’s favorite part was eating dinner with who they call “the real celebrities for me,”

the National Youth Council for GLSEN. “They were just these nine kids like me who stood up for themselves and LGBT communities in their towns,” they recall.

“They’re from all over the place and they’re like me, they’re my age. I have friends who are activists!”

The next fight and beyond But the work continues for Hallman and other LGBT students at Berrien, who say that anti-LGBT incidents continue at the school, with one difference from before the GSA began meeting.

“The students who are out, or even the students who aren’t out, are a lot more comfortable reporting the incidents and getting help now that they know there’s already a conversation started,” the now-senior says.

Next up on the GSA’s agenda is adding gender expression to Berrien’s anti-bullying policy and adding a gender-neutral restroom.

They’re working up a game-plan for that and will present the proposals to Berrien Principal Angie Lovein when school gets back in session in January. The proposals, just like the one for the GSA’s creation, will then likely go before the school board for a vote.

But the GSA fight wasn’t the only significant event for Hallman this year. Shortly after the club was approved, they came out as nonbinary. It would have happened sooner, but Hallman says they held back out of fear that it would hurt the chances of the club’s creation.

It made them realize something the 17-year-old will take with them to UGA, Emory, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton or one of the other schools they applied to when they leave for college next fall.

“I maintained the label of lesbian to try to make the transition of adding a GSA to my community easier for myself and for other people around me,” Hallman says, “and I realized that I don’t have to sacrifice myself to wait around for other people to catch up to me.”

16 News December 25, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

WORK National Center for Civil & Human Rights appoints new CEO The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc. recently announced Derreck Kayongo as its new CEO. With more than 15 years of experience in developing national and international programs for human rights, Kayongo’s own story as a Ugandan refugee fuels his passion for social activism.

“I am honored to serve as The Center’s new CEO and am looking forward to bringing my experiences and expertise to this important organization,” said Kayongo in a statement to Georgia Voice. “The success of my social entrepreneur endeavors has shown me the power of one small idea and how it can generate passion to solve a problem. The Center provides a platform for people to dialogue about our social challenges and opportunities, giving way for those small ideas that can someday change the world.”

18.21 Bitters selected as semifinalists in the New Beverage Showdown Business partners Missy Koefod and Kristin Wingfield-Koefod, the brains behind Midtown’s 18.21 Bitters received national recognition for their cocktail creations as semifinalists during The New Beverage Showdown. The annual competition showcases the products and business plans for 16 different early-stage beverage brands as part of a twoday pitch competition interwoven with BevNET Live, according to bevnet.com.

“We were selected to participate as semifinalists in the New Beverage Showdown and were up against some stiff competition but made it to the finals,” says Missy Koefod. “We felt like the product was very well received and we’re thrilled to win the Audience Choice in the finals of the New Product Showdown.”

Koefod tells Georgia Voice that 18.21 Bitters has seen incredible growth over the past year and a half, and as a result, a partnership has formed with Whole Foods in Georgia.

Prime Real Estate merges with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Atlanta real estate sales leader Bru Krebs has merged his Prime Real Estate Team with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Intown Office. www.thegeorgiavoice.com

IT!

Derreck Kayongo is the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (Photo courtesy of Derreck Kayongo)

Krebs brings 21 years of personal real estate and construction expertise to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, a subsidiary of NRT LLC, the nation’s largest real estate brokerage.

Krebs tells Georgia Voice that “the Prime Real Estate Team at Coldwell Banker Intown can now deliver real estate sales services unparalleled in the business.”

Frank Wrenn celebrates first anniversary with Habitat for Humanity Intl.

Atlanta business leader and philanthropist Frank Wrenn is celebrating one year of service in his new role as Corporate Development Officer for Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat has over 1,400 U.S. affiliates and works in over 70 countries. Wrenn is carrying out the Habitat vision of achieving a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

“I love my work at Habitat—it’s really not a charity. It’s a ‘hand up, not a hand out’—partnering with others to accelerate and broaden access to affordable housing as a foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty,” says Wrenn.

Wrenn’s work has given him the opportunity to participate in Habitat builds in India, Thailand, Chile and China.

He currently serves as Vice Chair of Campus Pride, a national organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBTQ students, and sits on the advisory council for CHRIS Kids.

December 25, 2015 Community 17

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“There’s always discrimination in every industry, especially “It’s an honor, but I don’t think of myself as an icon.

There should be a lot more straight artists who don’t have a problem with having gay fans. I’m really proud to play gay characters and I’ll continue to do so. I think it’s among the challenges of maturing as an actor.”

—”Scream Queens” actor and singer Nick Jonas in an interview with L’Uomo Vogue (Dec. 9/Screencap)

the music industry. But at the end of the day, you can’t deny talent. You can’t deny my performance and my abilities.”

—Trans frontwoman Nomi Ruiz of Brooklyn-based band Jessica 6 during an interview on Huff Post Live.

(Dec. 19/Screencap)

“The video was to represent the young woman today — it’s

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not the traditional woman

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for myself, and I don’t have to

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

18 Outspoken December 25, 2015

anymore – and not the specifics of ‘Am I gay? Am I straight?

Am I bi? I’m making the rules be stuck down to one label.”

—Actress Keke Palmer to PEOPLE Magazine on her fluid sexuality and new lesbian themed video, “I Don’t Belong To You.” (Dec. 16/Screencap) www.thegeorgiavoice.com

OUT IN THE WILD

By Simon Williamson

Why we need our own things Simon Williamson lives with his husband in heteronormatively-assimilative fashion in Athens, after a year of surviving rural Georgia.

With all the disdain expended on the idea of safe spaces on campuses and universities, a lot of reasoning has been lost regarding the absolute luxury of a space wherein we don’t have to defend ourselves, like we are expected to all the time. We are often expected to explain why our sexual laxness is antithetical to someone else’s preconceived ideas, and even when people profess to be on our team, facing questioning of the things we deem perfectly normal is still tiring.

Which is why it is indelibly important to have “safe spaces” of our own, like these very pages. We are incredibly lucky to live at a time when enough of us can group together, forming our own bloc in greater society to have and support our own bars and newspapers and centers and gyms and clubs and charities and Olympics.

The value of being allowed to exist within

“When I realized I was a lesbian, I cried for about three days. I knew what I stood to lose, which was everything that was important to me. What would people think? What would my family say?”

I used to have a bumper sticker on my car that read “Work Harder: Millions on Welfare Depend on You.” When I put that sticker on my car, I had a good job. I had a comfortable vantage point from which to cast my stones. Some time later, I found myself laid off and struggling. It’s funny how things work out.

When I became a Christian at 18, I had strong opinions about homosexuality. I took it as my mission to show gay people the “way” to Christ. What I told them was all the things I believed about it. To be a Christian, you could not be gay. Being gay was a choice. I was fervent in both my evangelism and in my prayer. It never occurred to me why this issue was so important to me or why it weighed so heavily on my mind. www.thegeorgiavoice.com

our own community, via these different avenues, is incalculable. Being openly gay, trans or bi, or even a cisgender female, to be honest, is difficult enough when we have to navigate workplaces and grocery stores and sporting and concert events, and that’s if you’re lucky enough to live in a place like Atlanta, where homophobia is less common than it is pretty much everywhere else in Georgia. Having spent a year living in rural Newton County, I can absolutely profess to you that the paranoia brought on by being gay in unfriendly territory is more tangible than late-night sauna cock.

The most well-meaning non-LGBT people in the world can’t empathize to a perfect degree, and it is unfair to expect them to. It is simply impossible, in the same manner it is for a man to empathize with women’s issues, or a white

person to empathize with being on the receiving end of institutional racism. And it is why we hang around with each other: it’s awesome to talk about our own things, from deep shit to pure banalities, with people who get it like we do.

From workplace health plans that don’t adequately address HIV and partner benefits, to rights that we need that go far beyond marriage, to family troubles, to the complications of gay relationships, all the way to who has the hottest Congress member (the people of Arizona do, thanks to junior senator Jeff Flake, by the way)— it is great to just have our own stuff, where we can let it all hang out, literally or figuratively, and not have to defend why naked people march in our pride parades, or explain which of us is the woman, or spell out the hypocritical accusation that we “flaunt our sexuality” while the accusers

“Having spent a year living in rural Newton County, I can absolutely profess to you that the paranoia of being gay in unfriendly territory is more tangible than late-night sauna cock.” act all butch for no reason other than to avoid being accused of a single non-Rambo trait.

It is why I feel so fortunate to be able to write on these pages every two weeks. It is good to have our own newspaper, and it is good to be able to discuss our own issues and debate the crosswalks in our own community.

Of course, we’re fallible, and our own issues often exclude people we profess to be in our community. And I will continue to cantankerously whine about that in columns in the future.

But for the moment I just want to celebrate this wonderful paper, and the year I have spent writing for it. Reading the Georgia Voice is a pleasure; writing for it is an absolute privilege.

We need our own stuff, and our own stuff is good. Support it!

IN THE MIDDLE

By Kim Riggins

My self-made closet Kim Riggins lives in Smyrna with her two incredibly spoiled dogs and an unhealthy obsession with Star Wars.

I was a “good” Christian. I played the guitar in my church’s praise band. I was part of the children’s ministry leadership. But I felt there was something I wasn’t doing; something I was neglecting. As it turns out, the thing I was neglecting was my own house and my own attitude.

When I realized I was a lesbian, I cried for about three days. I knew what I stood to lose, which was everything that was important to me. What would people think? What would my family say? I already knew what God thought. I’d been telling everyone what God thought about it for years. So, I kept it a secret and begged God to change me.

God was silent. I became angry. He wouldn’t change me, yet He hated me for being this way? I had no one I could turn to. I had

been so vocal about my opinions on the matter, how could I suddenly come out and admit that I was gay myself? I wasn’t able to hide it for very long. I was asked to leave my church and everything I loved. Friends and family abandoned me.

I was devastated, and I stayed that way for many years. Then, a friend of mine came through town and we had lunch. I confessed everything. This is what she had to say: “If someone told you, ‘I think God hates me,’ what would you say to them?”

“I would tell them that that is ridiculous.

God loves us all,” I replied, and she simply smiled at me. That was it. It was a hard journey to reach such a simple conclusion.

“God loves you.” It’s a cliché, but this time, I was hearing it with different ears and

a different mind. I believed it that day for the first time in a long time. I did not come out of the closet so much as I crawled out of it, broken and alone. It was a closet I built with my own hands out of piety. I forgot that God is in the business of loving people.

Sometimes, He is in the business of tough love. I begged God to change me and He did. He cut away the anger and filled the resulting void with hope. He cut away the arrogance and filled me with the understanding that the most important thing to God is people, not dogma.

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 1 John 4:20.

December 25, 2015 Outspoken 19

CATCHING UP WITH …

Former state Rep. Simone Bell History-making lesbian activist reveals why she left the Gold Dome

By PATRICK SAUNDERS When Simone Bell won the election for the House District 58 seat in 2009, she made history, becoming the first African-American out lesbian to serve in a U.S. state legislature. In October, she announced that she was history, resigning from the legislature after four terms to return to LGBT legal organization Lambda Legal, this time as Southern Regional Director.

Bell took some time out on a recent busy Thursday afternoon at her new gig to reflect on her time in the legislature and reveal what led her to make the big move.

Looking back on your time in the legislature, what were your favorite parts of the job?

The entire part of the job. It’s sick, twisted and I loved every moment of it. Being able to talk about policy, seeing how legislation affects policy and how policy affects the everyday lives of people.

I really loved combing through the legislation, seeing how we could make it better or take something bad out and creating the relationships, particularly with the people in the hall, citizen lobbyists as well as official lobbyists, hearing the different viewpoints about a bill. Good stuff.

What were your least favorite parts of the job?

The pay [laughs]. And the speed at which we had the opportunity to read legislation and actually dig into it. The length of the legislative session facilitates that, and we do a lot of work in a short period of time. When that happens, things can slip through. You have to be really prepared to constantly read and re-read legislation. The first piece of legislation you read of a bill is very rarely the

“A lot of people appreciated my skill set and would have loved to have me on their staff, but what I began to realize and understand is that being an elected official was beginning to be a barrier for our family to continue to be able to do the things that we needed to do.”

—Former state Rep. Simone Bell on leaving the legislature

Former state Rep. Simone Bell previously worked at Lambda Legal from 2006 to 2009 before returning to the LGBT legal organization in November. (Photo courtesy Lambda Legal)

make sure that people could shift their paradigm and understand that there are communities of people that you’re leaving out of this conversation and legislation.

piece that ends up on the floor for a vote.

When you’re dealing with legislators who have proposed antigay legislation or said something homophobic, was it difficult to keep your emotions in check when the issue is so personal to you?

It’s hard to keep your emotions in check period when you’re in the minority as far as being a Democrat with Republicans being in the majority. You know, I took it all in stride.

I knew coming there that I would have to be 100 percent of who I was at all times. Our first campaign was a historic campaign so it’s not like people didn’t know that I was an out lesbian coming in. There were a lot of people who don’t live in the Atlanta area who didn’t know that, but I was myself at all times.

Anytime that I had an opportunity to stand up for any of the communities that I represent, whether it was the LGBT community, women’s community, children, elders, I always added an additional perspective of ‘How does this affect LGBT people?’ to

Looking back, do you feel like you achieved what you set out to do when you first took office?

Absolutely. My goal was to be a voice for the people, to add a different perspective that may not have existed there, to open the door for other people who may have wanted to run for office or be in politics and didn’t feel like there was a place for them, and really try to move Georgia forward. And I think most importantly is adding something good to legislation and taking something bad out— that is probably my biggest accomplishment.

What made this the right time to move on from the legislature and return to Lambda Legal?

Well, after six years of making $17,000 a year … [laughs] I’m sensing a theme here.

It is a theme [laughs]. You know, my family made a lot of sacrifices during that time

and it was really difficult because I come out of the nonprofit world and it was really complicated and difficult to find a position in nonprofit, whether it was a conflict of interest or it could be seen as a conflict of interest.

A lot of people appreciated my skill set and would have loved to have me on their staff, but what I began to realize and understand is that being an elected official was beginning to be a barrier for our family to continue to be able to do the things that we needed to do.

It wasn’t a quick situation. We’d been talking about it for about two years about what’s next, how are we going to do this, where’s the income going to come from. So finally as a family we decided we’d give it another run of trying to find a supplemental position and nothing opened up.

We decided as a family and I was able to just release it and say, ‘Okay, I’ve done great work, I’ve left a mark, I’ve opened up opportunities for other people to be able to come in and do the work.’ Once I did that, the job opened up and it I think is an amazing match coming back to an organization that I was with before but coming back with an expanded skill set and an expanded level of knowledge.

20 Community December 25, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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2015: A LOOK BACK AT

CINEMA

From critically acclaimed ‘Carol’ to box office disaster ‘Stonewall,’ 2015 had it all

By JIM FARMER

Clockwise from top left: ‘Tangerine,’ ‘Stonewall,’ ‘Grandma’ and ‘Carol.’ (Publicity photos)

It was a landmark, historic year for the LGBT community— and while there was no pioneering, “Brokeback Mountain”-type breakout, and not every LGBT-themed movie was worthwhile, 2015 was nonetheless an important cinematic year, abetted by some strong work at the end of the season.

Much of the LGBT fare was in independent releases. In “The Overnight,” a cause célèbre at Sundance, two straight couples spend the evening getting to know each other. Before the night is over, the two men (Adam Scott and Jason Schwatrzman) are running around bare assed (albeit with prosthetic penises) and a secret comes out. It never becomes the edgy comedy it wants to be, but it’s certainly bold with nice performances, especially from Taylor Schilling of “Orange is the New Black” as one of the wives.

“The D Train” with Jack Black and James Marsden seemed like it might be just a buddy comedy, with Black playing a reunion organizer who pursues cool-cat, L.A.-type Marsden, until the two men have sex together.

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22 A&E December 25, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 In David Thorpe’s “Do I Sound Gay?” the filmmaker looks at himself and determines he hates his voice. With a team of experts, he seeks to remedy that. Featuring some lively interviews with the likes of Margaret Cho, Don Lemon, David Sedaris, Tim Gunn and more, this was ultimately a story of self-acceptance and how the subject comes to accept himself—no matter how he speaks.

Jeffrey Schwarz (“Vito,” “I am Divine’) debuted his “Tab Hunter Confidential,” a loving look at the career of the Hollywood icon who came out not long ago and shares all sorts of Hollywood dish.

In her best film role in years, Lily Tomlin portrayed Elle Reid, the titular “Grandma,” who goes on a road trip with her granddaughter to raise money for an abortion. It was a fun ride, with appearances by Laverne Cox, Sam Elliott, Marcia Gay Harden and Judy Greer as the younger girlfriend Elle breaks up with.

One of the sleeper critical hits of the season was Sean Baker’s “Tangerine.” Starring two trans actresses—Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor—the gritty comedy

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

‘The Danish Girl’ (Publicity photo)

revolves around a working girl’s attempt to find the pimp who betrayed her. Nominated for a slew of Independent Spirit Awards, it’s now on DVD and Netflix.

The year’s worst LGBT film was Roland Emmerich’s “Stonewall.” When the first trailers went public for the feature about the Stonewall riots, the response was overwhelmingly negative, with worries that the film had whitewashed history and shoved

important, non-pretty boy figures onto the sidelines. As it turns out, those trailers were accurate. Intended to be an important, empowering historical drama by the openly gay director, it was insulting, with a fictional young man (Jeremy Irvine) becoming the hero of the movie while condescending to the drag queens and elderly men interested in him romantically. It was in and out of cinemas in a week.

Based on a true story, one that inspired an Oscar-winning documentary short, this year’s “Freeheld” teamed Julianne Moore and Ellen Page as lovers who try to secure pension benefits when Moore’s Laurel Hester is diagnosed with cancer. Despite potent work from the actresses, the film sadly never found an audience or even a wide release.

The fall has brought a number of LGBT films looking for Oscar glory. Tom Hardy does double duty in “Legend,” playing both murderous Kray twins, one of whom is gay, in 1960s London. The gay content is pretty mild and the film overall doesn’t have the focus or aim it really needs. Nonetheless, Hardy’s performance makes it worthwhile.

Possibly the year’s finest film, “Spotlight” deals with a team of Boston Globe

reporters who start to uncover the child molestation scandal in the Catholic archdiocese. It captures the slow roll of journalism in all its glory, and some of the finest scenes are the interviews with gay victims, remembering what happened and sharing how it affected their lives.

Directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper, “The Danish Girl” follows the true story of married artists Lili Elbe (Eddie Redmayne) and Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander) and Lili’s male to female gender transition.

Hooper has been criticized by some for making the film too pretty and not gritty enough, but in the end it is an absorbing look at the two central characters, with many feeling Vikander walks away with the film.

Last but hardly least is “Carol,” possibly one of the all-time great lesbian films. Todd Haynes’ drama—about an affair between a married woman (Cate Blanchett) and a younger woman she meets in a department store (Rooney Mara)—is gorgeously made and acted, with a leading five Golden Globe nominations. It’s the real deal.

“The Danish Girl,” “Carol,” “Spotlight” and “Legend” are now playing in area theaters.

December 25, 2015 A&E 23

EATING MY WORDS

By CLIFF BOSTOCK

Avoiding the kitchen? Where to go, what to eat this holiday Christmas comes but once a year—and thank God for that. I’ve long advocated that Christmas become a centennial holiday, but that would wreck the economy and reduce the annual incidence of family fights, bouts of depression, and music from Hell. We can’t have that.

And then there’s the meal, which often reprises Thanksgiving’s turkey. Does anyone really want two turkeys within a month of each other? Happily, there are alternatives to turkey and home dining. This year a huge number of restaurants open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so you can pretty much eat wherever and whatever you’d like. Me? As a lapsed Christian, for many years I’ve joined Jewish people and headed to a favorite Chinese restaurant.

Here are a few of the best tried-and-true authentic Chinese restaurants in town. (I do recommend you call these restaurants before heading out.)

Chef Liu. This restaurant has drawn raves since the year it started business in a trailer in a parking lot. The big draw is the dumplings—particularly the soup dumplings. No, they are not dumplings floating in soup. They are delicate clumps of dough filled with seasoned pork and an amazingly rich pork broth.

There are 20-odd varieties of dumplings, and that’s pretty much all I eat here, but you’ll find plenty else, like a leek pancake. Warning: I’m not very fond of the noodle dishes. 5283 Buford Hwy., 770-936-0532.

Tasty China. This restaurant has undergone one drama after another in recent years, but its hot-and-spicy Szechuan cuisine keeps it on top. If you’re unfamiliar with Szechuan cooking, it employs hot and numbing chilies. The heat burns but is cut off by the numbing. You’ll eat and eat. Favorites: mapo tofu, fried eggplant, dan dan noodles … anything else. 585 Franklin Rd., Marietta, 770-419-9849, www.tastychina.net.

Canton House. Arguably, this restaurant still retains the title of best dim sum in the city.

Besides the constantly rolling carts of often mysterious but almost always delicious dishes, there’s a regular menu of mainly familiar dishes. I recently had a fantastic lobster cooked with ginger

Masterpiece’s Kung Pao Chicken (Photo via Facebook)

and scallions here for only $20. Canton House is certainly the most “vanilla” of the restaurants listed here. 4825 Buford Hwy., 770-936-9030, www.cantonhouserestaurant.com Masterpiece. I wrote about this restaurant a few months back. It is still garnering raves and many regard it the best Chinese restaurant in the city now. So, yeah, it’s worth the drive, but absolutely call ahead. Much of the food here is Szechuan, like Tasty China’s, but much milder than the usual. I’m still craving the blocks of pork belly in rice-wine sauce and the best Kung Pao chicken I’ve ever tasted. But you can’t go wrong here—unless you’re looking for elegant ambiance. The dining room is minimalist. Like, there’s nothing there. 3490 Buford Hwy., Duluth, 770-622-1191.

Harmony Vegetarian Chinese Restaurant.

It’s true that a vegetarian can eat well at almost any Chinese restaurant. But Harmony does more than just serve veggies straight up in a sauce. Instead, it cooks traditional meat dishes with various texturized meat substitutes. So you can get all your favorites, like fake eel with broccoli. Yeah, really. Honestly, I’m not a big fan, but lots of people love the place. I can for sure recommend the mysterious curry pockets, a wonderful starter. Then you can move on to the faux chicken, lamb, fish and pork. 4897 Buford Hwy., 770-457-7288, www.harmonyvegetarian.com.

Cliff Bostock, PhD, is a longtime Atlanta food critic and former psychotherapist who now specializes in collaborative life coaching (404-518-4415), www.cliffbostock.com.

24 Columnists December 25, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

OUTSIDE THE BOX

Being denied health insurance is a thing of the past

By BILL KAELIN

A few requests for Santa It has always been a Kaelin family tradition for all the children to gather around the kitchen table on Christmas Eve and write a letter to Santa Claus. Handwritten always by my Dad, the letter mostly served as a last minute gift request by the children and grandchildren in hopes that they would get what they wanted under the tree the next morning. My parents always used this ritual as an opportunity to remind us about the true reason for the season by adding in more humanitarian requests for Kris Kringle, like remembering to visit the poor, not forgetting the troops and asking for the ultimate gift of peace on earth.

This year will be the first time in my entire life that there won’t be any children or Christmas cookies around the table while we write our yearly note to the old man. It’s truly the end of an era. In the spirit of keeping the tradition intact, I decided to reach out to Santa myself and see if he can still make my wishes come true.

Dear Santa: I hope you have had a great year and have been working hard to prepare for your big night. The amount of time, energy and effort you put into trying to make everyone happy for just one day is mind-blowing, and I can’t imagine the crash you must feel on the 26th when it is all over. I’m sure the emotional roller coaster is exhausting and the struggle is real.

I will leave you one of my Xanax on the dining room table to help you sort it out. It’s way more delicious than a sugar cookie anyway.

Speaking of downers, the out of control mass shootings lately are really starting to bum me out.

If you could help our country rise above its current obsession with guns, it would be appreciated. Maybe it would help if you replaced every psycho’s firearm with a handful of free therapy sessions. I certainly would like to go to a concert again without the fear of a mass shooting.

The Madonna concert is coming to Phillips Arena on January 20th, so if you could speak to the queen and score me some backstage passes I would love you forever. www.thegeorgiavoice.com

“That rich, out-of-touch Kardashian needs to be schooled about the LGBT community.

Please explain to her that voting Republican and against her own interests is not cool.”

In regards to divas, when you reach the West Coast, do us all a favor and have a serious conversation with Caitlyn Jenner. That rich, out-oftouch Kardashian needs to be schooled about the LGBT community. Please explain to her that voting Republican and against her own interests is not cool. And if you have any pull, we could really use your help this year when it comes to the polls. It would be super cool if you could finally turn Georgia “Blue” and please, please, please let Hillary crush Donald Trump. I’m certain most of the world would really appreciate it.

And please don’t forget to take care of all the LGBT homeless youth by making sure they have a safe and happy home for the holidays. Let 2016 be the year the rest of the permits and funding for the new Lost-NFound Youth Home are secured. Maybe you could have a little talk with that dude who organized the failed “Rainbow Crosswalks” project and convince him to donate the balance of the money he raised to the kids instead. It would be a super nice thing for him to do, and if he doesn’t oblige, just put a big lump of coal in his designer stocking.

Thank you for all the gifts you have given my loved ones and me. Let 2016 be filled with health, happiness and peace on Earth for all.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Let us navigate you to a healthy future We can navigate you through: Health Insurance Enrollment Exemptions Health Care Referrals Health insurance Education

*Todos los servicios están disponibles en Español

Love, Bill Bill Kaelin is the owner of Bill Kaelin Marketing Events and Consulting Agency in Atlanta. www.BillKaelin.com December 25, 2015 Columnists 25

Our Guide to the Best LGBT Events in Atlanta for Dec. 24 - Jan. 12

T BES BET S

LGBT EV

AT L A N

TA

ENTS

FRIDAY, DEC. 25

It’s a perennial: the Atlanta Ballet’s beloved ‘The Nutcracker,’ running through Dec. 27, with a 7:30 p.m. performance tonight, Fox Theatre, www.foxtheatre.org (Publicity photo)

THURSDAY, DEC. 24

Staying in town for the holiday? Come play pool for free and hang out at Bulldogs, open from 4 p.m.–3 a.m. today, 893 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308 Brent Star is the host for Twisted Thursdays at Las Margaritas, lasmargaritasmidtown.com

EVENT SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY, DEC. 26

It’s the gayest holiday show of the season! Harold Leaver dons an elf suit in the perennial holiday favorite, “The Santaland Diaries,” an adaptation of gay writer David Sedaris’ “Holidays on Ice,” 8 p.m. tonight with shows through Dec. 31, www.horizontheatre.com (Publicity photo)

26 Best Bets December 25, 2015

Thursdays at Ten Atlanta, DJ Daryl Cox kicks off the weekend with your favorite songs starting at 10pm, tenatlanta.com The queer-inclusive Atlanta Bar Church meets tonight for Christmas Eve service, Smith’s Olde Bar, 11 p.m., www.atlantabeerandhymns.com

FRIDAY, DEC. 25

Finally! After originally being scheduled to open earlier this season in the ATL, the award-winning lesbian drama, “Carol,” with Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara and Sarah Paulson, opens today in area cinemas.

DJ Tina V hosts a Christmas Party at My Sister’s Room, with no cover before 10 p.m. and drink specials, www.mysistersroom.com

SATURDAY, DEC. 26

Women’s Outdoor Network (WON) hosts a Benefit Concert at My Sister’s Room for Lost-N-Found Youth featuring Mama’s Black Sheep. There is a $5 cover charge starting at 8 p.m. Additional suggested donation of $5 is requested for Lost-N-Found Youth. Show starts at 9 p.m., www.mysistersroom.com Get your dance on with DJ Lydia Prim, Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com The Panther Levi/Leather Night is tonight beginning at 10 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com

SUNDAY, DEC. 27

Seth Breezy spins at Xion Atlanta this morning, beginning at 3 a.m., www.facebook.com/events/536840109806877

Synchronicity Theatre’s “A Year With Frog & Toad,” starring out actors Chase Davidson and Robert Lee Hindsman, closes today, with 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. performances, www.synchrotheatre.com The Alliance Theatre’s lavish, annual take on “A Christmas Carol” also ends today, with 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances, www.alliancetheatre.com Wanna channel your inner Dorothy Hamill? The 4th annual Beards, Bears and Otters on Ice promises hairy men on skates on a chilly Sunday afternoon. Please bring an unwrapped LEGO set to help out the “Little Bricks of Hope” program, 4–10 p.m., Park Tavern Ice Skating Rink

MONDAY, DEC. 28

Eddie Redmayne stars in the lauded “The Danish Girl,” dealing with Lili Elbe’s groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer, in area theaters.

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LGBT EVENT Submit your LGBT event for inclusion in our online and print calendars by emailing event info to editor@thegavoice.com Come play Texas Hold ‘em Poker at Woofs Atlanta tonight, 7:30 p.m., www.woofsatlanta.com

TUESDAY, DEC. 29

Art It Out Therapy Center is now offering an Expressive Art Therapy Group for LGBTQ Teens on Tuesdays. Through art, the group will explore self-identity, coping with stress, intimate and parental relationships, and coming out. 7 p.m., 255 Village Parkway (in Paper Mill Village), Suite 580, Marietta, GA 30067 Need some OTP fun? 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 Blake’s hosts its Latin Tuesday night with DJs Karlitos and Martin, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30

Oscar’s Atlanta presents its weekly Retro Show Video Party tonight at 8 p.m., www.oscarsatlanta.com Ruby Redd hosts her infamous Birdcage Bingo at the Atlanta Hideaway, 8:30 p.m., with $3 well drinks, no cover and drag performances, atlantahideaway.com

THURSDAY, DEC. 31

Atlanta musician Michelle Malone, coming off a terrific, award-winning 2015, will celebrate the New Year with two shows at Eddie’s Attic, with part of the proceeds going to nokidhungry.org. Opening the 7 p.m. show will be Macy Todd, and supporting Malone on the 10 p.m. show will be Sonia Tetlow, www.eddiesattic.com The “Dancing With The Stars: Live!

‘Dance All Night Tour’” features dancers and stars from the popular ABC reality series in a 90 minute live show, 8 p.m., Cobb Energy Centre, www.cobbenergycentre.com

SATURDAY, DEC. 26

It’s not too late to see the annual electrical extravaganza, ‘Garden Lights,’ at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. It features spectacular light displays. New features this year include the massive “Tunnel of Light,” along with favorites such as the “Orchestral Orbs,” “Glittering Galaxy,” “Radiant Rainforest” and “Model Trains” that continue to make the exhibition a must-see holiday tradition. Running through Jan. 9 and open nightly from 5–10 p.m., atlantabg.org

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS Regina Simms rocks in the New Year at Friends on Ponce, www.friendsonponce-atl.com

The Atlanta Eagle hosts Blackout night, 7 p.m.–2 a.m., www.atlantaeagle.com The Atlanta Hideaway has a busy night: the Hot Mic Comedy and Karaoke event with Ian Aber kicks off at 9:30 p.m. and then Jack Daddi’s karaoke takes over at 10:30 p.m., atlantahideaway.com Dual DJs—DJ Liz Owen upstairs and DJ Rapko on the main level—ring in the New Year at My Sister’s Room, www.mysistersroom.com Heretic Atlanta and Ready4Hope present the Genesis White Party. The New Year’s Eve countdown will be done

by Angelica D’Paige and the night’s DJ will be Phil B. Casual white attire is requested, with doors opening at 9 p.m., www.hereticatlanta.com

The Masquerade Ball at Lips Atlanta is hosted by the immortal Charlie Brown and includes dancing, drag and a three-course dinner, www.lipsatl.com (Photo via Facebook) Traxx Girls present The Red Carpet Affair New Year’s Eve Party at Club Rain, with a complimentary breakfast and complimentary countdown party favors. Doors open at 10 p.m., 448 Ralph David

Abernathy Drive, Atlanta, GA 30315, www.traxxgirls.com Celebrate 2016 at Blake’s with the annual cash balloon drop at midnight, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

CONTINUES ON PAGE 28 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

December 25, 2015 Best Bets 27

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 Wussy Magazine presents “Decay/ Decadence,” a bittersweet New Year’s Eve of splendor, desire, joy, and rage, culminating in pop-up performances, installations, a dance party and more. “Nudes,” a group art show, will be debuting, featuring nude portraits in three media: drawings, paintings and photography. The night is hosted by Kryean Kally and Brigitte Bidet, with DJs Robert Ansley, King Atlas and Amari Tariq at the Big

House on Ponce, www.facebook.com/ events/1492826984380726

FRIDAY, JAN. 1

Join KJ Lance, KJ Steve and KJ James for karaoke tonight at Faces Lounge in Marietta, 9 p.m.–2:30 a.m., faceslounge.com

SATURDAY, JAN. 2

Come to Mary’s Atlanta for #DayDrunk with music playing from 2–8 p.m. and drink specials, www.marysatlanta.com

Ken hosts “Let’s Make a Deal” at Friends on Ponce beginning at 6 p.m., www.friendsonponce-atl.com

Monica Van Pelt and Shawnna Brooks, 11 p.m., Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Bring some good cheer and a dish to the Lesbian 50+ Potluck & Social. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 6:30 and lasts until 8 p.m., Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org

Make a joyful noise with the Sisters of Sequin at Gospel Brunch, with performers Bubba D. Licious and Justice Counce, 12:30 p.m. followed by a 1:30 p.m. show, Lips Atlanta, www.lipsatl.com

A high-energy show that makes you wanna dance and party the night away, Synergy! stars the biggest names in Atlanta drag, including

SUNDAY, JAN. 3

Sing along to your favorite gospel songs from the past and the present today at Mixx Atlanta, 4–7 p.m., www.mixxatlanta.com

MONDAY, JAN. 4

The PFLAG Atlanta support group meets tonight from 7:30–9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.uuca.org

Raging Burrito

Some of Atlanta’s best table tennis players come together to play, to meet new people and form community at Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium, 9 p.m., www.sisterlouisaschurch.com

TUESDAY, JAN. 5

Tom Hardy plays the murderous Kray brothers, one of whom is gay, in the new “Legend,” at area theaters

Pure Barre

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6

Decatur Bikes

Wednesdays are Caribbean Nights at Las Margaritas with $5 Mojitos and martinis, lasmargaritasmidtown.com

Big Peach Running Co.

Fleet Feet Sports

Admit it: you’re gonna see it. Han Solo, Princess Leia and new characters are part of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” now in area cinemas.

The Yogurt Tap

THURSDAY, JAN. 7

The Pretty Girl Hideout Thursdays is tonight, hosted by Mook DaHost, Soul Bar at Pal’s Lounge, 254 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.traxxgirls.com

happy new gear!

Treat yourself to something sweet in ‘16 – local fitness finds, wholesome eats, or a new pair of sneaks help get your resolutions off on the right foot.

decaturga

downtowndecatur

Decatur-ga-voice-jan2016 junior.indd 1

28 Best Bets December 25, 2015

decaturga

visitdecaturga.com

Visitors Center 113 Clairemont Ave. 12/21/15 4:15 PM

UPCOMING FRIDAY, JAN. 8

Wussy Mag and Creative Loafing present Powder Room, a Queer Dance Party, hosted by Zaida J., Melissa Coffey, Pity Soiree and Minks, with music

by Vicki Powell, Electrobixx and Ree de La Vega, 10 p.m.–3 a.m., Heretic Atlanta, www.hereticatlanta.com

TUESDAY, JAN. 12

From the creators of “South Park” comes the Tony-winning, gay-themed musical, “The Book of Mormon, “ which returns to the ATL for a two-week run through Jan. 24, with a 7:30 p.m. show tonight, Fox Theatre, www.foxtheatre.org

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID

By MELISSA CARTER

The rightfully forgotten Star Wars Special Chewbacca and Han Solo travel to Chewie’s home planet, where we get to meet some of the fuzzball’s family members. Luke Skywalker is there, along with C-3PO and R2-D2. Princess Leia even sings and Darth Vader makes an appearance. No, I’m not giving spoilers to Episode VII; I’m talking about the “Star Wars Holiday Special!”

These past few weeks you’ve likely rewatched many of the “Star Wars” movies in order to catch up before heading to the theater to see “The Force Awakens.” Yet you may have missed this two-hour gem from 1978 that aired on television just one time.

It has never been rebroadcast or officially released on home video. Odd for something that came on the heels of the first “Star Wars” film, which has grossed over $300 million. However, there’s a reason the “Star Wars Holiday Special” disappeared.

Anthony Daniels, who plays C-3PO, calls the show, “The horrible Holiday Special that nobody talks about.” American film critic Nathan Rabin said, “I’m not convinced the special wasn’t ultimately written and directed by a sentient bag of cocaine.” It even ranked #1 in What Were They Thinking?: The 100 Dumbest Events in Television History. Author David Hofstede called it “the worst two hours of television ever.” Was it really that bad? The answer is yes.

I remember seeing it as a kid. The story revolved around Life Day, an occasion celebrated

by Chewbacca and others on his home world.

Chewie takes pal Han Solo to his planet for the celebration and to meet his family: Father Itchy, wife Mallatobuck, and son Lumpy. I wish I were making this up, but that’s what they were called.

Before they can celebrate the true meaning of the holiday, they are forced to evade those pesky storm troopers, and thereby the action ensues.

The highlight of the special is Bea Arthur’s appearance as the barkeep Ackmena, serving patrons at the famous cantina on Tatooine.

This was one of Arthur’s first roles following the conclusion of her hit television show, “Maude,” and her rendition of “Good Night, www.thegeorgiavoice.com

“Carrie Fisher once told a New York Times columnist that she owned a copy of the special and shows it at the end of parties when she wants people to leave.”

But Not Goodbye” set to the “Cantina Band” theme must have been a proud moment for the Broadway star. Carrie Fisher also got a chance to croon. Leia gives a short speech on the meaning of Life Day and sings a song in celebration, to the tune of the “Star Wars” theme.

Other stars also appeared in this 1970s debacle, including Art Carney, Diahann Carroll, the band Jefferson Starship, and Harvey Korman.

There was one positive note to this television disaster. The special introduced Boba Fett, one of the most popular characters in the “Star Wars” canon. There’s a piece of trivia many “Star Wars” disciples may not even know.

So when you see all the interviews and the plethora of items for sale promoting the latest billion-dollar sci-fi installment, don’t expect to hear or see any reference to the “Star Wars Holiday Special.” Conan O’Brien tried to corner Harrison Ford into talking about it during an interview, but Ford jokingly said he had no memory of it and that it didn’t exist. Carrie Fisher once told a “New York Times” columnist that she owned a copy of the special and shows it at the end of parties when she wants people to leave.

I would love to see it again, since it was 37 years ago when I last caught it. So if you want to get rid of a bootleg copy, it’s not too late to send this geek a Christmas gift.

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 ofthe few in the country. Follow her on Twitter@MelissaCarter December 25, 2015 Columnists 29

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The Heightened Importance of Beneficiary Naming

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margie.archer@wellsfargoadvisors.com Vice President - Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager Four steps same-sex couples should take to help ensure your intentions are protected No one enjoys thinking about the day when they or a loved one will pass away. But if you care how your estate will be dispersed after you’re gone, it’s a topic you need to consider. And for same-sex couples, it can be more complex than for others.

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your brokerage accounts, stocks, and bonds.

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It’s also a good idea to stay abreast of changing beneficiary designation rules. For instance, the 2013 Windsor decision changed how qualified retirement plans must treat legally married same-sex couples. Now, if one partner in the marriage wants to leave a 401(k) or pension to a non-spouse beneficiary, such as a child from a previous marriage, the current spouse must provide written consent.

You can choose to make any banking account — typically checking, savings, and certificates of deposits (CDs) — a POD account. This step ensures that the only person to receive the assets from your accounts after your death is the person you name as the POD beneficiary. It’s a straightforward process that involves completing a bank-provided form. Usually, there are no fees for this and no limitations on the amount of money that can be designated POD.

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SOMETIMES ‘Y’

By RYAN LEE

America’s all-around bigoted definition of ‘terrorism’ The saddest part of the San Bernardino mass shooting, as someone not directly impacted by the tragedy, was how indifferent I felt upon hearing that more than a dozen people were gunned down under California sunshine. As one of my college friends noted, it sometimes feels like such incidents have gone from “breaking news” to “daily dose.”

The California massacre came less than a week after a lunatic opened fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado the day after Thanksgiving, and, honestly, I need more than a few days before I can replenish my tolerance for mass “mourning” and futile debates about the Second Amendment, given my ambivalence toward both guns and gun control.

But since the San Bernardino shooting, I’ve learned that it was not just another day in America, not simply another expression of our country’s violent predilections. This was something different, something greater to fear, something worth super-gluing our borders and turning away women and children fleeing unimaginable persecution.

San Bernardino was “terrorism.” More specifically, it was Radical Islamic Jihadist Muslim-y Ramadanian Terrorism. Republican presidential candidates and their supporters are addicted to the idea that “we cannot defeat an enemy we are afraid to name,” and you can almost feel the high they get from being able to say “radical Islamic terrorism” for the twelfth time in five minutes.

It’s curious how those most insistent on making a distinction between terrorism and traditional violence are the same folks who have always opposed hate crimes legislation on the basis that crime is crime. It is obviously important to recognize the difference between someone being killed during an armed robbery and 14 people being slaughtered as part of a maniacal holy war.

Fueled by poisonous ideology, the latter aims to wound not only the immediate victim, but all of the victim’s kind: none of you are safe. The same is true when a transgender woman is tortured and executed because

“It’s curious how those most insistent on making a distinction between terrorism and traditional violence are the same folks who have always opposed hate crimes legislation on the basis that crime is crime.” of her gender identity, when a bible study at a black church is interrupted by racially charged gunfire, when a gay man shoots up a Christian nonprofit and when a religious fanatic launches an assault on a women’s health clinic.

Conservatives who always claimed that minorities would be receiving “special rights” if these acts of domestic terrorism received stricter consideration than typical crimes, folks who were able to shrug off the Planned Parenthood murders as an unfortunate aberration, are now terrified, vengeful and demanding President Obama launch World War III in response to the San Bernardino killings.

While they use San Bernardino to Americanize the political climate of 1930s Germany, those who are crusading against “radical Islamic terrorism” shudder and scoff whenever the sources of this country’s most enduring crises are named with candor: Rabid White Supremacy. Brutal Misogyny. Genocidal Homophobia and Transphobia. Heartless Xenophobia and all of the other bigotries that America’s Judeo-Christian tradition has facilitated. Perhaps the reason all these dangers persist is because conservatives (and liberals with shifting instincts) have always refused to accept that we cannot defeat an enemy we are afraid to name.

Ryan Lee is an Atlanta writer.

30 Columnists December 25, 2015 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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