The Georgia Voice 5/28/10 - Vol. 1 Issue 6

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05.28.10 NEWS

OUTSPOKENIN THEIR OWN WORDS (Cover of Dec. 28 issue of The Nation, a Malawi newspaper)

Atlanta police want to sweeten relationship with LGBT community. Page 4 First federal hate crimes conference held in Atlanta. Page 6 Ga. Senate race pits longtime ally against gay-friendly newcomer. Page 8 Savannah LGBT rights rally attracts hundreds. Page 8 LGBT immigration forum focuses on Asian Americans. Page 8

VOICES Editorial: It will take more than a breakfast to restore trust in APD’s LGBT liaison. Page 12 Speaking Out: Readers react to Regular Guys, Shirt Off My Back campaign. Page 13

“When I first moved to Nashville, I worked at Opryland and there are a lot of gay boys running around at those themeparks. I was afraid there was some identifiable factor in me that they could pick up on, that they might know that I was gay.”

— Country singer Chely Wright, who recently came out, in a candid interview last week with Oprah Winfrey (“Oprah” via ContactMusic.com, May 19)

A&E All-night party to create what Backstreet would have been. Page 15 Theater: Find forbidden ‘Loot’ at OnStage Atlanta. Page 16 Sports: Atlanta Bucks rugby team is Bingham Cub bound. Page 17 Books: Atlanta therapist delves into ‘lesbian bed death.’ Page 19

COMMUNITY Atlanta Cotillion pits debs in race to raise money for HIV fight. Page 21 Premiere Party puts ‘festive white’ in the rainbow. Page 22 Georgia Spotlight: South Georgia Pride, Georgia Equality. Page 23

CALENDAR Pages 24-26

theGAVOICE.com • Breaking news as it happens • Calendar and daily event highlights • Photo albums and video galleries • Share ‘Your News’ and ‘Your Voice’ facebook.com/thegavoice twitter.com/thegavoice

BY THE

NUMBERS

2

7

Openly gay bishops in the Episcopal Church, after Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool was consecrated May 15.

Years since the Episcopal Church consecrated its first openly gay bishop, Rev. Gene Robinson, setting off a schism in the 77 million-member worldwide Anglican Communion

801

Congregations in the Anglican Church of North America, a rival group formed by churches opposed to the Episcopal Church’s increasing gay inclusion

31

Percent of respondents to a recent GA Voice survey who said they are currently active in a church

Sources: Boston Globe, Anglicanchurch.net, thegavoice.com

“I will give you a scaring sentence so that the public be protected from people like you, so that we are not tempted to emulate this horrendous example.”

—Judge Nyakwawa Usiwa-Usiwa of Malawi, sentencing gay couple Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalangato to 14 years in prison under hard labor for “gross indecency.” The couple’s public engagement ceremony is believed to be the first for the nation, where homosexuality is illegal.

Amnesty International has deemed the couple prisoners of conscience. (BBC News, May 20)

“How can they get 14 years simply for loving one another? Even if they are jailed for 20 years you can’t change their sexuality.”

— Grift Trapence, a leader of the human rights group Centre for Development of People, in Malawi (BBC News, May 20)

“Just over one year ago, when the Iowa Supreme Court decided to ignore Iowa law and grant same sex couples the ability to get married in our state, I predicted that the decision, absent action by the state legislature to enact a marriage license residency requirement, would turn Iowa into the gay marriage Mecca.”

— U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa,) arguing that to protect Iowa from gay “altar shoppers,” the state should enact a marriage license residency requirement and amend the state constitution to stop gay marriage.

(Photo courtesy U.S. House)

Where Georgia’s congressional delegation stands on DADT, ENDA. Page 11

Photo courtesy Chely.com

White House endorses plan to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Page 11

4

GA Voice May 28, 2010

News

www.theGAVoice.com

Can Atlanta police rebuild relationship with the city’s LGBT community?

Trust has eroded significantly over last few years, while some gay groups report positive interactions

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Senior Patrol Officer Patricia Powell, the new LGBT liaison for the Atlanta Police Department, has stopped in at least one gay-owned business to introduce herself as part of her new duties.

“My initial thought [of Powell] is I’m impressed,” said Philip Rafshoon, owner of Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, who said Powell dropped into his store about two weeks ago and also attended the Pearl Cleage reading on May 20.

Mayor Kasim Reed pledged earlier this year that Atlanta would have at least two fulltime LGBT police liaisons, but confusion remains as to whether Powell’s appointment truly fulfills that goal.

Officer Dani Lee Harris, who has been the liaison for close to five years, was put on indefinite medical leave on April 16 after she suffered gran mal seizures months ago. No timetable has been given for her return.

Harris has also filed a complaint with the police department’s Office of Professional Standards and has hired an attorney. Because the complaint is under investigation, the APD cannot comment.

Harris has declined to publicly speak about it.

Rafshoon, who served on the committee to make recommendations to Mayor Reed about a new police chief, was unclear if there are really two liaisons. Reed appointed George Turner as interim chief and Turner is a finalist for the post.

“I hope [Powell] can get out there — and if another [liaison] appointment is made, they can do the same thing,” Rafshoon said.

Does APD really have two LGBT liaisons?

At a breakfast roundtable on May 19 to introduce Powell to LGBT community leaders, officials within the department and the mayor’s office insisted there are two liaisons even though Harris is currently out.

Attorney Dan Grossman, who represents patrons of the Atlanta Eagle in a federal lawsuit alleging their constitutional rights were violated

by APD officers who raided the gay bar in September, asked at the roundtable why Harris was not invited.

“You are taking credit for two. Do we really have two?” Grossman asked.

Reese McCranie, the mayor’s deputy communications director, answered that the breakfast meeting was to introduce Powell to the community and that Harris was not invited because she is on medical leave.

Harris, however, was angry to hear the mayor’s office claiming two LGBT liaisons when, she said, her superiors were keeping her from coming back to work.

“I didn’t know about the meeting [on May 19] and I want to say I was never relieved from work

Our quest to interview APD’s new LGBT liaison • Friday, May 7: After learning about Patricia Powell’s appointment as the new liaison after the May 6 Grady High School protest, we requested an interview with her.

Her boss, Major Erika Shields, sent an email on May 7, saying Powell would call on Monday or Tuesday.

• Tuesday, May 11: Powell called, but only to say that an interview request would have to be handled through the Public Affairs Department. A formal request for an interview with Powell was made to Sgt. Curtis Davenport, who responded that “we hope to accommodate your request by week’s end.”

Atlanta Police Department LGBT liaison Patricia Powell met recently with LGBT leaders at a breakfast roundtable. With her is Reese McCranie, the mayor’s deputy communications director. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

medically because my doctor said I can work, but APD is not allowing me to return to work and it is not medical,” Harris said.

Harris said Major Erika Shields, chief of staff to the Chief of Police, and the Personnel Department were not allowing her to return to work. The Personnel Department falls under the supervision of Major Debra Williams, the Corporate Services Section Commander.

Williams was head of the Red Dog unit that raided the gay bar the Atlanta Eagle last year and is now a defendant in a civil suit against the APD by several patrons of the bar who are represented by Grossman, Lambda Legal and the Southern Center for Human Rights. Harris, who was the full-time LGBT liaison for the APD at the time, was not informed of the raid until after it happened.

In response to questions submitted via email, Powell stated there are absolutely two LGBT liaisons working for APD. “There are two LGBT liaisons in the APD right now. Officer Dani Lee Harris is on a leave of absence but we expect her to return to her duties soon,” she said.

“To clarify, Officer Harris has filed a complaint against a civilian employee of the APD, not the entire police department. That complaint is under investigation, so I can’t comment further,” she said.

Eagle owner: Damage can never be healed

Responding to questions during the community breakfast, Powell and other city officials who

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com LGBT Liaison Officer Patricia Powell Office: 404-546-4752 Cell: 404-617-3355 Email: ppowell@atlantaga.gov

attended — including McCranie, Deputy Chief Ernest Finley and Atlanta Police Foundation Director of Programs Grant Hawkins — were not sure what Powell’s duties would be as a second LGBT liaison.

In her email responses this week, Powell gave a broad description of her duties.

“As the other LGBT liaison in the department, I have been tasked with producing a comprehensive plan to engage Atlanta’s LGBT community, including business leaders, civic groups and visiting with other individuals and venues,” she said.

Powell said she would look for input and recommendations from LGBT Atlantans to find ways to improve relations with the APD. While Powell is apparently making the rounds of some gay businesses, there is one she has not yet stopped in to visit — the Atlanta Eagle.

“It would be nice if she put out the effort, but I don’t expect her to,” said co-owner Robby Kelley.

Kelley’s business partner and Eagle co-owner Richard Ramey knows police are needed, but feels the damage done last year in the raid at his bar can never be healed. In a March trial, charges were dismissed against several of the Eagle defendants arrested for license and permit violations. Others were found not guilty.

“Sept. 10 [the day of the raid] affected us a great deal, but we have moved on,” Ramey added.

“I just hope they [the APD] will protect us — they put their life on the line, but I have to wonder how fast they react when they hear something happened at the Eagle.”

• Thursday, May 13: Reese McCranie, deputy director of communications for Mayor Reed, sent an email saying, “We’re aiming to provide an interview for you possibly Wednesday morning [May 19] of next week.

Would that work?” Asked for an earlier time, McCranie responded, “Due to scheduling and availability, it won’t be sooner than Wednesday unfortunately.”

• Monday, May 17: McCranie sent an email stating, “We’re introducing the new APD LGBT liaison to various community leaders on Wednesday morning. Can you please join us?” Georgia Voice agrees to attend, but repeats the request for an interview with Powell.

• Wednesday, May 19: After the community meeting, an interview with Powell was again requested. McCranie and Davenport both said that the roundtable was a meeting with the media.

• Friday, May 21: Georgia Voice emails questions to Davenport and McCranie on May 21 and again asks for an interview with Powell. An email to Powell herself asking for an interview went unanswered.

• Monday, May 24: Late in the day, answers to the questions sent May 21 were received in an email from Davenport with the subject: “Answers from GLBT Liason [sic] P. Powell.”

McCranie called to say that Powell was in cadet training all day on May 24 and May 25 and that was why she was not available for an interview via phone or in person.

Kelley did say a couple of police officers who work in his bar’s neighborhood on Ponce de Leon stopped in after the Eagle raid last year to apologize.

“They said it just felt odd because they never had a problem with us,” he said. “Beat police officers have always been fantastic.”

Kelley also was disturbed Harris was off the force, at least temporarily, and said she needs to be reinstated.

“There is a huge, gaping hole in our community” and trust with the APD and city government, he added.

The federal lawsuit against the city and dozens Please see POLICE, continued on Page 6

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GA Voice May 28, 2010

News

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New LGBT police liaison to work on ‘improving relationships’ POLICE, continued from Page 4

Dennis Shepard, father of Matthew Shepard.

(Photo by Dyana Bagby)

First federal hate crimes conference held in Atlanta

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com More than 300 law enforcement and community organization representatives attended the inaugural Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act community conference at Georgia State University on May 18.

Hosted by the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office, the conference was designed to detail the new federal hate crimes act signed into law by President Obama on Oct. 28, 2009. According to a registration sheet, 14 members of the Atlanta Police Department attended, as well as law enforcement from across the state including Clayton County, Fayette County, Powder Springs, Newnan and Union City. Atlanta Police Officer Patricia Powell, the new LGBT liaison for the department, attended.

Atlanta was chosen to host a conference because Georgia is one of only five states that does not have a state hate crimes law in effect. The other states are Arkansas, Indiana, South Carolina and Wyoming.

The 2009 law expanded the 1969 federal hate crimes law to provide protections for sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and disability.

Conference speaker David O’Malley served as commander of the Laramie, Wyo., police department in 1998 when Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, was tortured and killed because of his sexual orientation. O’Malley told how he was once very anti-gay.

“I would say ‘faggot’ as easily as I said ‘I love you’ to my kids,” O’Malley said.

But Shepard’s case started a journey for him, he added, that led him not only to tolerance but to acceptance of those different than himself.

“We can start now to make a new ending. I’m accepting, but in our business we have to be at least tolerant,” he said.

Dennis Shepard, Matthew Shepard’s father, made a rare public speaking appearance at the conference.

“It’s up to you to do your job whether you like it or not,” he told those in law enforcement.

“As David said, there’s a difference between acceptance and tolerance. I know how hard it is for some of you to accept the law; I know how hard it was for me to accept originally Matt was gay,” he said.

“But there are people out there who are terrified … the law is in effect and you are the leading lights in your community.”

The conference included detailed discussion of the law and how state and local agencies can work together with federal agencies when an alleged hate crime occurs in their jurisdiction.

of members of the APD continues to move forward, but the city is lagging in its responsibilities, Grossman said.

“At the present time we are waiting on discovery responses from the city attorneys. We served discovery requests on both the city and each of the individual officer defendants on April 5, and under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure the responses were due on May 5,” he said.

Atlanta Pride is different than other smaller community organizations as well as individuals, Sheffield acknowledged, and because of its size, Atlanta Pride “sits in a place of privilege.”

“Even if there was nothing queer about [Pride], our experience is going to be different. My hope is a way for the community at large to have some of the positive interactions we are able to have,” he said. “But I think it’s going to be a long road for some of that to happen.”

What happened to the Some gay businesses, groups have LGBT Advisory Board? ‘wonderful’ relationship with APD At one time, there was an LGBT advisory Blake’s on the Park, a gay bar in Midtown, has a “wonderful” relationship with the APD, according to Doug, a manager and bartender who declined to give his last name The bar hires off-duty APD officers to work the door and provide security and it doesn’t matter if they are gay or straight, Doug said.

“We have a great [relationship]. Whenever we have issues, they always respond,” he said.

As a business owner in Midtown, Rafshoon also said he has a good relationship with the APD. Police officers stop in his store to say hi and shop.

“We’ve been very fortunate,” he said. “I think the new appointment of a chief will be an opportunity for the APD to reestablish the relationship with our community and we can work together.

Whoever it is [the next chief], things like the Eagle cannot happen again. There is a lot of strengthening of relationships and communications between the LGBT community and the APD that needs to take place.”

Over the past two years the level of trust between the APD and the LGBT community has eroded, said Atlanta City Council member Alex Wan, who represents District 6, which includes the Atlanta Eagle.

“Even though we have a liaison, it doesn’t feel like a partnership and there is no accountability.

The Eagle [raid] really set us way back,” Wan, who is gay, said at the May 19 meeting. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

The community needs to participate as well, Wan stressed, even by joining the Citizens Police Academy to see what police officers face.

But the community needs to see the police be proactive on LGBT issues because “the trust isn’t there,” he said.

JP Sheffield, executive director of Atlanta Pride, said he and his event have an ongoing positive relationship with the APD, which provides security — at a cost of some $50,000 — for the Class A event in Piedmont Park. Close to 100 officers work Pride each year, Sheffield said.

“They do an excellent job and integrate into our event and are the right officers for the queer community,” Sheffield said.

A liaison is necessary, Sheffield said, but that person should not be the only one who knows how to interact with the LGBT community.

“Some officers are more understanding than others,” he said.

board that worked with the APD gay liaison.

The APD website still has a link to an application for those interested in being on the board.

At the May 19 meeting, officials, including Powell, did not know if such a board still existed.

Powell said this week she is looking into whether the board is necessary.

“I will be looking at a range of options to improve relationships between the APD and the LGBT community. An advisory board is one thing I’m considering. It’ll be important to have the right composition and duties for such a board,” she said via email.

Powell also said the APD “provides an 8-hour block on diversity training for all new recruits.”

“With my position as one of the city’s two LGBT liaisons, I am in the process of reviewing and evaluating training procedures and I will make recommendations to my command staff based upon those findings,” Powell said. She also said she would meet with all zone commanders to discuss how LGBT concerns can be addressed more comprehensively.

Zina Age is founder and CEO of Aniz Inc., a non-profit that serves people with HIV/AIDS and provides other health care services to disadvantaged people. She served on the LGBT advisory board for six years when it was formed under the first Atlanta Police LGBT liaison Connie Locke.

“The board kind of fell apart when [Locke] left and we were in limbo for two years,” she said.

When Harris came on as the LGBT liaison, the board was revived, Age said, but after Harris came out publicly as intersex in 2008, the board again fell apart.

“It was dismantled. We couldn’t even get it off the ground. We were supposed to meet once a month, but [the Atlanta Police Foundation] was trying to take it off the liaison and leave it up to the chairperson to organize,” Age said.

“So we didn’t have the structure, we didn’t have the consistency.”

“It was really weird,” she said. “But I feel the board really is needed for the police department to be culturally competent.”

Atlanta police and trans people

One area that may merit attention is the relationship between police and transgender people.

At the May 19 meeting, trans activists Tracee McDaniel and Cheryl Courtney-Evans said there

were problems with officers profiling transgender women as prostitutes and harassing them.

Sgt. Curtis Davenport, who is now head of the Public Affairs department, said he arrested a transgender prostitute because “he” was committing an illegal act. Davenport repeatedly referred to the person as “he” until McDaniel and Courtney-Evans stepped in to say calling a trans woman “he” is not culturally correct.

“A person should be identified as the gender they present,” McDaniel explained, with Davenport admitting he did not know that.

Sheffield suggested there should be a training course to deal specifically with trans issues.

Sheffield had special praise for Lt. Elder Dancy who has worked as security coordinator for Pride for many years. Last year, Sheffield came out as a trans man and had to go through the process of informing everyone he’d worked with in the past and knew him by a female name.

“He’d always known me as female with female pronouns and I only had to communicate it to him once and it was no problem at all,” Sheffield said. “He handled it fantastically and ensured others were using the proper pronoun and name.

Those experiences are the kind the rest of the community needs to be having.”

Powell: ‘You have to prove yourself’

Powell is a senior patrol officer who joined the APD 11 years ago after moving to Atlanta from Evanstown, Ill. She has served as an officer in Zones 1 and 3, the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and worked in the Atlanta Police Training Academy as a trainer. She also worked in the Recruitment Unit.

Powell was in the U.S. Army for three years and the National Guard for six years. She received her bachelor’s of science degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University in Florida.

Powell said she has been out for more than 20 years and has two sisters who are also gay.

Tracy Elliott, executive director of AID Atlanta, asked at the May 19 meeting what it was like being openly gay in the APD. “It hasn’t been a bad experience,” Powell said. “Number one, you’re a female and the police department is predominantly male, so you have to prove yourself. And when you’re gay… of course nobody says anything to my face, but you have people who aren’t happy with it.

“But my mother taught me to treat people the way you want to be treated,” Powell said. “And I’m kind of like a mother-figure in the department, especially with the recruits.”

Asked about the process of being hired as the LGBT liaison — which apparently included no direct input from the LGBT community — Powell responded, “I was selected because of my leadership qualifications and 11-year history on the police force ...

“As an out and proud lesbian for nearly 25 years, I am especially delighted to be representing my community at the APD,” she said.

8

GA Voice May 28, 2010

News

www.theGAVoice.com

State Senate candidates vie for gay votes

By Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com In the Democratic primary for state Senate District 39, one of the strongest LGBT allies in the Georgia General Assembly faces a challenger who is also drawing gay support.

The district, currently represented by Sen. Vincent Fort, stretches from East Point to Buckhead, includes much of Midtown, and is home to one of the largest concentrations of gay voters in the city.

An outspoken advocate for LGBT rights, Fort was first elected to the General Assembly in 1996, and is facing a challenger for the first time since 1998.

“I came into the legislature with a community-based agenda, and I still have more things that I want to do,” Fort said. “I want to continue to try to get good things accomplished and stop bad things from happening.”

The entire state legislature is up for election this year. Fort and Grady High School teacher Graham Balch will face off in the July 20 Democratic primary. With no Republican running and if no independent candidate petitions to be on the ballot, the primary will likely decide the race.

“I decided to run for state Senate because I am concerned about the state of public education in Georgia,” Balch said.

“I think there is a lot more we can do to provide our children with a great public education, and it affects everything else we are trying to solve — including helping our economy, solving crime in our communities, and achieving equality,” he continued, noting that states with higher levels of education also tend to have more progressive laws on LGBT rights.

Georgia Voice surveyed both candidates on a wide variety of LGBT issues, from hate crimes to gay marriage, and they gave similar answers on most.

Both Fort and Balch said they would sponsor a hate crimes bill that includes sexual orientation and gender identity, a non-discrimination policy and domestic partner benefits for state employees, a non-discrimination law banning bias based on sexual orientation and gender identity for private businesses, and a law to clarify that sexual orientation should not be a factor in adoption decisions.

Both said they support full marriage rights for same-sex couples and they would sponsor legislation to repeal the 2004 state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

“I spoke against the amendment during debate, organized opposition on both the House and Sen-

ate side, as well as voting against it,” Fort said.

Balch said he thinks the first priority for LGBT rights should be securing rights for samesex couples like hospital visitation and making end-of-life decisions, which would be a stepping stone to other rights for gay couples. Fort said that depending on the political make-up of the legislature, the first priority should be either defending against anti-gay legislation or passing an inclusive hate crimes bill.

Fort’s campaign includes an LGBT Initiative chaired by state Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), who was Georgia’s first openly gay state lawmaker and is running unopposed for her sixth term, and longtime community activist Craig Washington.

Washington described Fort’s record as “one of the most progressive in the country not only in terms of gay rights.”

“Whether the issue is a hateful anti-same sex marriage amendment, a transgender vigil or a Black Gay Pride celebration, Fort has been there for us time and time again. … We don’t have to look hard or far to see where Senator Fort stands because it is right beside us,” Washington said.

Balch said his campaign is reaching out to all of the diverse citizens of the district, but not creating specific efforts for various communities. His prominent LGBT supporters include two gay politicos in East Point, former East Point City Council member Kevin Hudson and former City Council candidate Ken deLeon, as well as Atlanta City Council member Alex Wan, who donated to Balch’s campaign.

Hudson said he was concerned that some of Fort’s “tactics and public statements have left him with little precious little ability to work with the other senators, both within the Fulton County Delegation and the Senate as a whole” and he believes Balch “will be a much more effective voice for the GLBT+ community and all residents of the 39th district.”

Fort and his supporters say the race comes down to experience, while Balch and his backers believe the deciding factor should be the candidate’s style and effectiveness in working across the aisle with Republicans.

“I have a record that’s not only theoretical, but based on actions — things I have actually done,” Fort said. “I am very proud of my record and want to continue on that path.”

For accomplishments specifically related to LGBT rights, Fort notes that he sponsored Georgia’s first hate crimes law, which passed in 2000 but was eventually struck down by the state Supreme Court on the grounds that its description of hate crimes as based on “bias or prejudice” was unconstitutionally vague. Fort also noted that as a member of the Senate Rules Committee, he had worked to prevent legislation to ban gay adoptions.

Balch argued that his opponent has not been

effective in passing legislation, especially since Republicans became the majority in the General Assembly, and the district needs “less talk and more action.”

“There is a difference between standing up for an issue and solving an issue,” Balch said.

“I believe Senator Fort is great at standing up for issues, but I think we need someone who is good at solving issues.”

Graham Balch, a teacher, is challenging Sen. Vincent Fort (right) in District 39. (Courtesy photos)

Savannah rallies for gay equality

An estimated crowd of about 400 turned out May 22 to rally for LGBT rights at City Hall in Savannah, Ga. — “the largest event of its kind ever in the city,” according to organizers.

“There is no question in my mind that this was indeed a turning point for Savannah’s GLBT community,” said Kevin Clark, director of Georgia Equality’s Savannah chapter. “The absolutely incredible energy and enthusiasm exhibited by this group of people, including a large representation of our local colleges and universities, was and is absolutely amazing.”

The rally was part of a series of events around

the country to mark the birthday of late gay activist and politician Harvey Milk. In addition to the Savannah chapter of Georgia Equality, sponsors included First City Network, Savannah Pride and Equality Across America.

“To continue and to build on this momentum we are discussing a meeting with the mayor with a group of college age participants from this rally,” Clark said.

“The meeting will be focused on informing the mayor and Council that we expect action soon on our proposal for domestic partner benefits.”

— Laura Douglas-Brown

Photos by Christopher Stanley / via Club One on Facebook

Longtime LGBT rights ally faces challenger also drawing gay support

Panel discussion explores LGBT immigration The public is invited to the Phillip Rush Center on June 9 to discuss the topic of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender immigration with a panel of experts ranging from attorneys to individuals who have dealt with immigration issues. The discussion will cover federal law as well as Georgia laws.

“These forums are intended to facilitate public discussion on immigration from an LGBT AsianAmerican point of view,” said Asha Leong, who is a board member of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, a co-sponsor of the event.

“In some ways, immigrations [within the LGBT community] focuses on binational partners. We want to expand that to include asylum, marriage, family reunification,” she said.

Immigration issues also center on the Latino community. The Asian-American community stands in solidarity with the Latino community, but wants

more attention paid to the challenges Asian Americans face as well, Leong said.

“A lot of what we see are people who are persecuted in their home country because they are LGBT. Applying for asylum is not easy and we want to see people who can’t go back home have a place here permanently,” she said.

The event is free. Light refreshments will be provided. Other co-sponsors include the Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Raksha and Asians and Friends.

— Dyana Bagby

MORE INFO

Atlanta LGBT Immigration Forum Wednesday, June 9, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Phillip Rush Center 1530 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307

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White House endorses plan for ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal Speaker pledges votes on DADT, ENDA this year

Where the Georgia delegation stands

By Ryan Watkins and Laura Douglas-Brown

U.S. House

In what national gay rights activists called “a dramatic breakthrough,” the White House issued a statement May 24 that supports Congress repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy this year.

The repeal, which at press time May 25 was expected to see votes in the U.S. House and Senate as early as May 26-28, would be enacted after the Pentagon completes a study on how best to implement it.

“The White House announcement is a dramatic breakthrough in dismantling ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ The path forward crafted by the president, Department of Defense officials, and repeal leaders on Capitol Hill respects the ongoing work by the Pentagon on how to implement open service and allows for a vote this week,” Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, said in a press release.

Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a key campaign promise from President Obama to gay voters. DADT opponents, who want legislators to pass the repeal before the end of this Congress, were frustrated when Defense Secretary Robert Gates advised Congress last month to delay “any legislative action” until the Pentagon completes a study of lifting the ban.

That study is not scheduled to be finished until December, leading to fears that a vote would be put off until after the new Congress convenes in January, when vote counts could be affected by the November elections.

The White House responded May 24 to Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (Ind. – Conn.) proposed amendment to the 2011 Defense Authorization Act. The amendment would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” now, but postpone implementation until the Pentagon review is complete and President Obama has certified that he, the Defense Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have determined that the plan for integrating openly gay service members “is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces.”

According to the letter written by Peter Orzag, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, the White House supports Lieberman’s amendment because it “will allow for completion of the Comprehensive Review, [and] enable the Department of Defense to assess the results of the review.”

Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Penn.) was expected to introduce the amendment later this week in the House, while the Senate Armed Services Committee is projected to debate similar legislation on May 27. The Human Rights Campaign called on constituents to lobby Sen. Sax-

District 1: Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Savannah) 202-225-5831, kingston.house.gov

NO

NO

District 2: Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Albany) 202-225-3631, bishop.house.gov

NO

NO

District 3: Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Grantville) 202-225-5901, westmoreland.house.gov

NO

NO

District 4: Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Lithonia) 202-225-1605, hankjohnson.house.gov

YES

YES

District 5: Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta) 202-225-3801, johnlewis.house.gov

YES

YES

District 6: Rep. Tom Price (R-Roswell) 202-225-4501, tomprice.house.gov

NO

NO

District 7: Rep. John Linder (R-Duluth) 202-225-4272, linder.house.gov

NO

NO

District 8: Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Macon) 202-225-6531, house.gov/marshall

NO

NO

District 10: Rep. Paul Broun (R-Athens) 202-225-4101, broun.house.gov

NO

NO

District 11: Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta) 202-225-2931, gingrey.house.gov

NO

NO

District 12: Rep. John Barrow (D-Savannah) 202-225-2823, barrow.house.gov

NO

NO

District 13: Rep. David Scott (D-Atlanta) 202-225-2939, davidscott.house.gov

NO

NO

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Moultrie) 202-224-3521, chambliss.senate.gov

NO

NO

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Marietta) 202-224-3643, isakson.senate.gov

NO

NO

DADT repeal co-sponsor

ENDA co-sponsor

District 9: VACANT

U.S. Senate

Source for LGBT positions: HRC.org / Compiled by Laura Douglas-Brown

by Chambliss (R-Ga.), a member of the Armed Services Committee.

“We are on the brink of historic action to both strengthen our military and respect the service of lesbian and gay troops,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese in a May 24 press release.

Pelosi: ENDA will also get vote this year

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reassured representatives of several LGBT organizations May 17 that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act — which would ban job bias based on sexu-

al orientation and gender identity — and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal will get votes this year.

Pelosi made her comments in an hour-long conference call with leaders of six LGBT groups.

One of the activists who joined in the May 17 phone briefing, Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), said Pelosi, “in no uncertain terms, without any equivocation or evasion, stated several times that ENDA was her priority and that it would move in this Congress — and there was no question.”

— Lisa Keen contributed.

May 28, 2010

GA Voice

11

GA Voice

May 28, 2010

Voices

The Georgia Voice 1904 Monroe Dr., Suite 130 Atlanta, GA 30324 404-815-6941 www.thegavoice.com

EDITORIAL

Editor: Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com Deputy Editor: Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Web Manager: Ryan Watkins rwatkins@thegavoice.com

www.theGAVoice.com

VOICES OPINION & REACTION Rainbow disconnection It will take more than a breakfast to restore trust in the APD’s LGBT liaison

Art Director: Bo Shell bshell@thegavoice.com

Editorial

By Laura Douglas-Brown

Contributors: Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames, Shannon Jenkins, Robin Kemp, Ryan Lee, Mike Ritter, Matt Schafer, Christopher Seely, Steve Warren, Justin Ziegler

The image on this week’s cover — a cop offering up rainbow doughnuts — both symbolizes and satirizes the Atlanta Police Department’s efforts to get back in the good graces of the city’s LGBT communities.

Like most police departments, the APD has faced tensions with LGBT residents through the years. The appointment of a full-time LGBT liaison within the department in 2004 was intended to create a direct link between the two sides.

But no matter how talented the officer assigned to the post, the LGBT liaison can only be as effective as the department allows that person to be. And by the time Atlanta police raided the Atlanta Eagle, a gay leather bar, last September, the department wasn’t letting its liaison, Officer Dani Lee Harris, be effective at all.

Harris was never told of the anonymous complaints that lead to the investigation, was never allowed to reach out to the bar owners to resolve the concerns, was never involved in educating officers on how they could conduct the raid without showing bias, and in fact only learned about the raid when she was called for comment by the LGBT press.

It was an epic fail, made only clearer when then-Chief Richard Pennington held a press conference in which he bragged about his appointment of the first LGBT liaison officer more than five years earlier as evidence of his “great” relationship with LGBT Atlantans — while those citizens planned protests that would draw hundreds.

Activists like Betty Couvertier feared a repeat of the Eagle omission when the LGBT liaison missed the May 6 gay rights rally at Grady High School. Harris told the Georgia Voice she didn’t go because she had been on medical leave since April 16, and the police department subsequently told us that Officer Patricia Powell had been appointed as a second LGBT liaison, fulfilling a promise from Mayor Kasim Reed, who inherited the Eagle debacle when he took office in January.

It’s troubling, though, that the department took no proactive steps to inform the community about Harris and Powell prior to questions from the press. And reaching Powell for a simple interview has been unnecessarily difficult, as Georgia Voice Deputy Editor Dyana Bagby

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BOARD OF ADVISERS

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

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

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The editorial positions of the Georgia Voice are expressed in editorials and in editor’s notes. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Georgia Voice and its staff.

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

documents in our cover story.

The APD did include LGBT press in a community breakfast with Powell on May 19. Like doughnuts, the gesture was sweet, but offered limited sustenance.

Several seemingly simple questions from attendees were left unanswered by the event — including how Powell and Harris’ duties will be integrated, whether the department really has the promised two liaisons since Harris is on leave, and whether the LGBT citizen advisory board still exists.

Moving beyond breakfasts, here are five ways the Atlanta Police Department can work to rebuild our trust in the LGBT liaison unit, and by extension, in the department itself: 1. Make the LGBT liaisons’ schedules public. It’s not uncommon for public officials to post their schedules online for citizens to see. Simply posting the LGBT liaisons’ schedules would go a long way to answer questions about “what they do all day.” It would enable constituents to keep the department honest on whether it really has two “full time” liaisons, and also allow citizens who know about major LGBT events to reach out in advance if they notice an event is not on either liaison’s schedule.

2. Give the LGBT liaison officers more exposure, not less. In the wake of the Eagle raid, the APD and mayor’s office seem to be trying to micromanage the liaisons’ interactions with the very people they are supposed to be liaisons to.

Such a strategy is usually an attempt to limit opportunities for mistakes, but it backfires and gives the impression that the department doesn’t trust the liaison to deal directly with the community or press without guidance from superiors or other handlers. Give Powell and Harris the freedom to do their jobs, and the community will likely be much happier with the results.

3. Create an independent LGBT advisory council. Although what appears to be an old application for the board resides on the department’s website, Powell said in response to email questions from the Georgia Voice that she “will be looking at a range of options to improve relationships between the APD and the LGBT community” and “an advisory board is one thing I’m considering.”

She is exactly right that for the board to be successful, “it’ll be important to have the right composition and duties for such a board.” The goal

©istockphoto.com/sdominick, illustration by Bo Shell

12

should be a board made up of diverse citizens who can advise the LGBT liaisons, help keep them informed on issues within Atlanta’s many LGBT communities, and funnel complaints or comments from citizens.

4. Involve the LGBT liaisons in all investigations dealing with gay businesses or organizations. This doesn’t mean no LGBT group or business should ever be investigated or raided: Our community, like all others, inevitably contains some bad eggs. But having the LGBT liaison involved in the process, and present on the scene, can help insure that people are not disparaged based on their sexual orientation, as allegedly happened during the Eagle raid.

5. Make the LGBT liaison available to work with LGBT people who are the victims or perpetrators of crimes. One of the LGBT liaisons should be on call at all times and available to other police officers dealing with crimes involving LGBT people — regardless of whether the crime was based on sexual orientation. LGBT people may fear the police, and having an LGBT officer present would create an image of the department as caring and inclusive.

www.theGAVoice.com

SPEAKING OUT

In this promotion on the Regular Guys’ website, co-hosts Larry Wachs (left) and ‘Southside’ Steve Rickman compete to see who can lose the most body fat. The loser has to ‘kiss a dude.’

Hey, Regular Guys: It’s not punishment to kiss a guy Re: “Kissing dudes and ‘The Regular Guys’” (Blog by Bo Shell, GA Voice art director, May 19) They are a bunch of homophobes with their own latent tendencies. I cannot believe they are still on the air.

They are still on the air because they are funny. This country is becoming a very unfunny place to be. Everyone is so sensitive.

Lighten up, folks.

Wow. A lesbian in support of homophobic jokes delivered by a homophobe.

Lighten up? Seriously? What if the loser was forced to kiss a black person? Would that be funny? I like to think that I’ve got a pretty good sense of humor about the whole PC thing, but that is just blatant homophobia.

I vote with my dial and never listen to 100.5 because of the Regular Guys and their homophobic comments. While I don’t really think that this incident is by the far the worst of their actions, it is a mild irritant, but if they weren’t homophobic it could have been funny.

Keep the shirt on your back to rally against homophobia?

Re: “Gallery: Shirt Off My Back rallies on International Day Against Homophobia” and “Why a clothing donation campaign is taking a stand against homophobia” (May 17 and May 18, thegavoice.com)

Editor’s note: These comments on Georgia Voice articles were submitted via our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thegavoice). Want to weigh in? Follow us there or submit comments on our website.

It’s about continuing to alienate those whose eyes we want to open.

The campaign has nothing to do with being naked or offensive. It derived from the concept of people taking their shirt off their back and giving it to someone in need.

Not to denigrate this fine effort, but if you really wanted to impact the public this should be “Nudists against Homophobia” — then you would make national news and CNN every 15 minutes. (Grin) Like the speakers said afterwards at VirginiaHighland Church, every little effort made is a step in the right direction to show that we don’t want special rights, we just want equality. I fear no one and wish no one to fear me; everyone is my friend.

Waste of time to call Chambliss about ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

Re: “HRC to Sen. Saxby Chambliss: Vote to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’” (thegavoice.com, May 24) Yeah, well, HRC will make him change his mind: LOL. I called Chambliss’ office today. I was hung up on by the time I asked Chambliss to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t … click.

A wonderful cause, but seeing LGBT activists in various states of undress, again, is tiresome.

I called and told them: I just wanted to let you know that I am a gay Columbus, Ga., resident. I was all set to join the Navy Nuclear Program. I decided not to do this because one of the core values of the military is honesty.

Can we not make an impact with our clothes on at some point? It’s not about being obscene.

I’m sorry but contacting Chambliss on this issue is a total waste of time.

Voices

May 28, 2010

GA Voice

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GA Voice

THEATER

May 28, 2010

A&E

www.theGAVoice.com

by JIM FARMER

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com

Forbidden ‘Loot’ In gay playwright Joe Orton’s farce, two thieves are willing to try anything — including each other

Topher Payne was looking forward to taking a vacation after his recent play “Christina Darling,” but when he learned that auditions for “Loot” were coming up, he knew a vacation could wait.

“Loot” opens June 4 at Onstage Atlanta.

Written by gay playwright Joe Orton, “Loot” debuted back in 1965, where it was met with some hostility from those not expecting its satirical tone. The play is a farce about two young men, Hal and Dennis, who are thieves.

After robbing a bank next to a funeral parlor, they have to hide the money — and wind up stashing it in the coffin of Hal’s recently deceased mother.

The satire pokes fun at the Catholic Church as well as the local police. It’s directed by Barbara Cole Uterhardt and stars Payne as Dennis.

In many versions of “Loot,” the relationship

between Hal and Dennis is toned down somewhat, but not here.

“One of my frustrations is that there are some conscious attempts to downplay the relationship between Dennis and Hal, removing that element,” Payne says. “But with that element, it makes more sense. For Hal and Dennis, anything that sounds fun or forbidden, they will try — like robbing banks or having sex with each other. I think they definitely have some impulse control issues. At the least they are blatantly bisexual.”

Payne considers Orton well ahead of his time.

“He was openly gay and his plays created controversy,” he says. “He created such deviant characters and because of that his plays are a lot of fun. ‘Loot’ is my fave. I think it’s his tightest script. The stakes keep getting raised higher.”

Starring in “Christina Darling” and “Loot” are like night and day, Payne admits. “‘Christina Darling’ was like running in a marathon every night,” he says of the play where he had to dress up as Joan Crawford every night.

“Doing this is like going to summer camp.”

‘Loot’ June 4 - 26 at Onstage Atlanta 2597 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033 404- 897-1802, www.onstageatlanta.com ‘True Love Lies’ Through June 20 at Horizon Theatre 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 404- 584-7450, www.horizontheatre.com

‘Loot’ includes (clockwise from top) Doug Graham as Hal, Topher Payne as Dennis, Barry N. West as McLeavy, David Klein as Truscott and Colleen Shannon Gaenssley as Fay. (Photo courtesy Onstage Atlanta)

‘True Love Lies’ at Horizon In Horizon Theatre’s current “True Love Lies,” a father’s secret past comes back to haunt him. Brad Fraser’s drama finds a family changing forever when their daughter applies for a job as a waitress. The restaurateur balks when he realizes her father is a man he lived with for three years.

Directing the show is Lisa Adler, the artistic director at Horizon. In her mind, the character of David, the restaurateur, is the catalyst of the show.

“On the surface we have a happy sitcom family, but David drops a pebble and causes a ripple,”

‘Slasher’ Through June 19 at Actor’s Express 887 W. Marietta St. Suite J-107, Atlanta, GA 30318 404-607-7469, www.actorsexpress.com

she says. “David has an immediate bond with the children — they are drawn to each other and David helps them. He also helps some characters realize the importance of moving on.”

Adler likes the fact that “True Love Lies” is edgy, but not edgy enough that it drives people away.

“I am not a gay man, but I can relate to this,” she says. “Brad’s plays follow fluid sexuality: [They are] not about being gay or straight. This is a smart, funny piece that has something to say.”

Finally, Actor’s Express has just opened “Slasher,” a campy takeoff on slasher films. It’s directed by openly gay Freddie Ashley and stars the great Shelley McCook, last seen at the Express in the gay-themed “The New Century.”

A&E

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SPORTS

by JIM FARMER

Bingham Cup bound The Atlanta Bucks gay rugby team hosts skating fundraiser before heading to international tourney Just prior to heading to Minneapolis to participate in an international tournament in mid June, members of the Atlanta Bucks Rugby Football Club are bringing out their roller skates for a benefit to raise money for the trip.

The Shiny Rugby Balls roller disco party June 12 will be the final fundraiser before the team heads to the Mark Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament, a.k.a. the Bingham Cup. Established in 2003, the Atlanta Bucks was formed for “gay and diverse communities” in the area to play the sport of rugby. Gary Durden, who has served as president since 2009, says that the group has around 70 current members.

While the majority are gay men, the group has three female members and some hetero-

sexuals as well. And while some are beginners, others have been playing for several years. The Bucks are part of the International Gay Rugby Association and Board, which fields teams around the world.

One shared goal of all members is to help promote the sport.

“It’s a tough sport to learn,” Durden says. “We all grew up watching football and baseball. We are not used to seeing rugby. When we have new people, we are the ones teaching them to play.”

The Bucks have both a spring and fall league and participate in round robin tournaments throughout the year, some involving other U.S. gay teams. Approximately twice a year they host Rugby 101, which is a great way to meet the team and learn some introductory ball-handling skills, says Durden.

The team plays gay and straight teams.

“We play straight teams more than we play gay teams,” he says. “We rarely if ever have any comments. Teams are impressed by us. I feel we gain a lot of respect, dispelling notions of what a gay man is. Sometimes a straight team

May 28, 2010

GA Voice

17

will play us light until they catch on. When we play them close sometimes you can see a little fear in their eyes.”

The roller disco fundraiser is a repeat of one the Bucks held a few years back.

“We all had a great time when we did it before,” says Durden. “It’s a chance for our guys and everyone to blow off some steam before we leave. Our team’s training hard. I think everyone will have fun.”

Tourney honors 9/11 hero The Bingham Cup, June 17 – 20, is a biannual international gay rugby tournament named for openly gay Mark Bingham, who played college rugby at the University of California, Berkeley, and helped his team win national championships. Bingham died during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when he was one of the heroes of United Airlines Flight 93.

Passengers fought back and the plane crashed in rural Pennsylvania.

The tournament, first held in 2002, was established to give gay teams a chance to play rugby and compete against other teams. Its location changes every two years.

The Bucks participated in the 2008 event in Dublin, Ireland, and won their division, the Bowl division. They were the only North American team to win a division.

In June, the Atlanta Bucks will compete in the biannual Bingham Cup international tournament, after winning their division in the last Bingham tourney.

(Photo courtesy ProjectQAtlanta.com)

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com Atlanta Bucks Rugby www.atlantabucksrugby.com Shiny Rugby Balls Roller Disco Party June 12, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

All American Skating 5400 Bermuda Road Stone Mountain, GA 30087 770-469-9775 Bingham Cup June 17–20 Minneapolis, Minn. www.binghamcup.com

SAVE benefiting

THE

ANNOUNCING

DATES

The Atlanta Cotillion Debutante Class of 2010...

Sunday, August 15 Auction and Cabaret Opera Nightclub (Entrance on Crescent Ave.)

Saturday, September 18 Atlanta Cotillion IX Ball The Foundry at Puritan Mill 916 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd.

Caterina Modica Davenport Max Corwell

Jessica Lynn Palmer Mathew Palmer

Zerena Loo-Bouffante Sam Peng

Ava VonSeco Joshua Bettis

Brandy Abigail Von Nutterhorne Nathan Atkins

Elena Isabella Zubia Ward Julio Leyva

For more information on becoming a sponsor, e-mail info@atlantacotillion.com

A&E

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BOOKS

by SHANNON HAMES

Beyond ‘lesbian bed death’ New book by Atlanta therapist explores sexual intimacy for female couples

A clinical psychologist in Atlanta, Dr. Glenda Corwin has spent a decade focusing on sexual intimacy between women. Her message to female couples? The rumored and feared “lesbian bed death” doesn’t have to happen, but it takes work to keep the sexual flames burning.

“Over the years working as a therapist with lesbian clients, I have heard them discuss their fear that there’s no way to keep passion alive in a long-term relationship – that lesbian bed death is inevitable,” Corwin says.

So what can lesbians do to keep their relationships sexually satisfying? “The conflict between thinking lesbian bed death is inevitable and then not wanting for that to be the case is what really inspired me to research this and do something about it,” Corwin says.

The result of her research is her new book, “Sexual Intimacy For Women: A Guide for SameSex Couples,” recently released by Seal Press.

The Georgia Voice talked with Corwin about the book in advance of her June 3 workshop and book-signing at Charis Books & More.

What was your research process like?

Corwin: I did an online survey of lesbian sexual patterns and had 400 respondents from all over. They answered many different kinds of questions about their own history and their feelings and attitudes about sexual relationships.

What was the most interesting thing that you discovered through your research?

That 90 percent of them said that they thought that regular sexual contact was very important in a relationship. Only 20 percent said that they regularly set aside time for sexual intimacy. Even more interesting, about 20 percent of the women in my study could be called “sexually active” – having sex twice a month or more. That 20 percent that was sexually active was the same 20 percent that regularly set aside time for sexual intimacy.

There’s spontaneity and then there’s intentionality. The key to making it work is something that I call “24-hour foreplay.” We women just need plenty of time to get in the right mood.

That involves getting in some type of positive physical state because we’re always judging our bodies. We also need to get in touch with our erotic imagination.

Dr. Glenda Corwin surveyed 400 respondents to research her new book on female sexual intimacy.

(Courtesy photos)

Let’s revisit lesbian bed death.

What is the cause and what is the cure?

The myth of spontaneity is the cause of a lot of it. And by that, I mean that we don’t have a realistic understanding of female sexual desire. We tend to think about sexual desire as a physical drive and if that isn’t happening, we think that there’s something wrong with ourselves or with the relationship. Realistically, the research shows that about 50 percent of women who are in relationships don’t feel much spontaneous sexual desire.

The most important concept to understand is the difference between spontaneous desire and responsive desire. … We decide intentionally and ahead of time that we do want to be in a sexually active relationship and will set aside time for it.

Then, we start doing and thinking about the things that get us turned on, like how you love your partner or about the last time you had sex together, or whatever kinds of images are erotic for you.

What will readers get from your book?

They will learn ways to enrich their sexual connection. They’ll also have a realistic understanding about female sexual desire and learn some skills to combat the most common obstacles such as initiating sex, which is a huge issue.

We grew up in a heterosexual world where we were trained that men will initiate sex and we have to say no to protect ourselves. We don’t really know that much about how to say yes or how to initiate sex, something that many women have a hard time with.

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com ‘Sexual Intimacy for Women: A Guide for Same-Sex Couples’

By Glenda Corwin, Seal Press, $16.95 www.drglendacorwin.com Workshop & book signing June 3, 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More 1189 Euclid Ave. , Atlanta GA 30307 www.chariscircle.org

May 28, 2010

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COMMUNITY LOCAL LIFE Competing

for the crown

Atlanta Cotillion pits debs in race to raise most money for HIV fight

By Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com

For the next three months, six diverse and accomplished young ladies will work to better themselves and their communities, before making their formal debut into society at the Atlanta Cotillion.

The catch? These young debutantes are actually men, raising money in a unique competition to fund the fight against HIV. Founded in 1997, Atlanta Cotillion has raised more than $650,000 for AID Atlanta, says Bryon Brown, Cotillion co-chair, known at the event as debutante Lauren Elizabeth “Bess” Eatenton. Last year’s event raised $115,000, with only $36,000 in expenses.

“Since becoming a debutante in 2005, and also working on the AIDS Walk staff for two years, I’ve learned so much more about the work AID Atlanta does and about this horrible epidemic — where we’ve come from and how far we still have to go,” Brown says. “The last few years, I have realized that basic awareness has become just as important as fundraising and that we need to educate, educate and educate. The younger generation just doesn’t seem to get it.”

Debutantes do their own fundraising throughout the summer by hosting events and seeking donations. The debutante season culminates with the Cotillion Ball, a Sept. 18 gala at the Foundry at Puritan Mill during where the deb who raised the most money will be crowned Cotillion queen.

“I think our model is different than any other fundraiser,” Brown says. “Having the individual debutantes that host and produce the individual fundraisers throughout the season bring something new and different each and every year.”

Those, male or female, who want to wear tuxedoes pay $150 to attend, while those joining in female attire pay $75 for their tickets. Not to be confused with your ordinary drag show, the ball requires those who choose to attend in “formal female attire” to take their dress code seriously — no campy beards and make-up allowed.

We surveyed this year’s six debutantes with a variety of questions, some serious, some fun, befitting the tone of the Cotillion Ball. Here are some of their best answers.

Michael Lammons, a.k.a. Lady Michel’le VonSeco, was crowned 2009 Cotillion queen after raising $18,000 for AID Atlanta. He is crowned by Jeffrey Hopper, a.k.a. Jacqueline-Jayne Dior Daniels, 2008 queen. (Photo courtesy AID Atlanta) Zerena Loo-Bouffante Real name: Sam Peng Age: 30 Occupation: Management What made you want to be a debutante? The fact that it’s for a good cause and how it has the ability to change people’s lives.

Forget boxers or briefs. Corsets or petticoats, and why? Well, I thought being a man was hard enough, but, wow, being a woman is 10 times tougher than that. I couldn’t believe the amount of work that goes into the transformation from man to woman. Wearing those tight panties and breathless corsets really gave me a brand new look about women is general in that I have a huge profound respect for them. Thank you, girls!

If there was a reality show made of your life, what would it be called? “Lotus Blossom: A Black Woman in a Gay Asian Man’s Body” Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to help in the fight against HIV? HIV is extremely misunderstood. It’s like what Blanche told Rose, “AIDS is not a bad person’s disease, Rose!” There are millions of ways to educate people about fighting against HIV such as being responsible.

But, to me, the most important thing about HIV is that people need to be not afraid of others who have HIV. Elena Isabella Zubia Ward Real name: Julio Leyva Age: 26 Occupation: Part-time Student at Kennesaw State.

Work Front Desk at Helmet Hairworx and Gravity Fitness How did you choose your debutante name? Elena is my mother’s middle name, who is the most influential person in my life. Isabella is the name of one of my aunts, whose best friend Sergio passed away from AIDS. Her love for her best friend and her support in my coming out process has influenced me and my relationship with my family. Zubia is a family name that links my heritage to my Latin American descent and just fit well. Ward is the last name of my partner’s best friend who passed away from AIDS. What is your next upcoming fundraiser? On June 6, I’m planning a Sunday Afternoon Tea Party spon-

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com Atlanta Cotillion Sept. 18, 7-11 p.m.

The Foundry at Puritan Mill www.atlantacotillion.com sored by Pure Romance by Sunny. … This will be my kick-off fundraiser with many more on the way.

As a debutante, what do you think is the most important lesson for proper young ladies to learn? Always cross your legs. You never know what’ll try and get in there.

Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to help in the fight against HIV? I believe that it is imperative to create awareness in the community about all the wonderful benefits that AID Atlanta provides and how every little bit of help makes a huge difference in the lives of so many. I’m only a small piece in the overall puzzle.

Ava VonSeco Real name: Joshua Bettis Age: 27 What made you want to be a debutante? Too many people in the community and my life have been affected by HIV/AIDS, I wanted to give back in a fun way.

What is your next upcoming? June 27: Pool party at Daddy Bud’s (my grandmother in the Atlanta Cotillion family) As a debutante, what do you think is the most important lesson for proper young ladies to learn? Always chew with your mouth closed and don’t forget to tape!

Forget boxers or briefs. Corsets or petticoats, and why? Corsets, of course! Petticoats are just too hot in the summer heat and who doesn’t like to look a little thinner!

Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to help in the fight against HIV? It’s still an issue that affects everyone and new infections are on the rise. The presentation of a young lady is a very public event and I intend to use this season to bring awareness to the cause while raising money to help those living with, affected by or at-risk for HIV/AIDS. Brandy Abigail “Nuts” Von Nutterhorne Real name: Nathan Atkins Age: 33 Occupation: Student How did you choose your debutante name? I cannot drink, but if I could, I would like to try Brandy. Abigail is a classic Southern name. VonNutterhorne sounds unique, ex-

Community

May 28, 2010

GA Voice

21

Celebrating a MILESTONE? Share your engage-

ments, weddings, births, adoptions, anniversaries, birthdays and other events! Announcements can be up to 200 words and can include a photo. E-mail editor@ thegavoice.com with your milestone and contact info to see your name in print!

emplifies my creativity, and allows friends and others to call me “nuts.”

What made you want to be a debutante? My close friend, Ryan Vila, suggested it to me in a pizza parlor. I said I would think about it. I wrote down the question of whether or not I wanted to do it right before I went to bed a week later. After a fairly convincing dream I signed up.

Forget boxers or briefs. Corsets or petticoats, and why? Corsets. I think they make a woman simply delicious.

From experience they are fun to undo. They are fun to help others put on.

Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to help in the fight against HIV? It is a situation that frankly does not receive the press it should. It certainly does not receive the funding it should. If I can help in a minuscule way then I have helped. I believe in it strongly enough to have left my comfort zone way, way, way behind me.

Caterina Modica Davenport Real name: Maximillian Corwell Age: 21 Occupation: Entrepreneur What made you want to be a debutante? The chance to bring HIV awareness to youth aged 13-24, who have the highest new infection rate What is your most successful fundraiser to date? My Virginia Highlands dine-out, in which hundreds came out to eat, drink, and save lives What is your next upcoming fundraiser? There are so many! The next official one is June 26, and it’s a luau! We have many more in the works.

Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to help in the fight against HIV? The community has suffered unimaginable amounts of damage at the hands of this disease. If I can bring awareness to a few things, it would be that first, youth (13-24) are not immune to HIV, and that second, this isn’t just a “gay” disease. People need to know the facts, and if they can’t speak about HIV without being knowledgeable, then they aren’t ready for sex.

Jessica Lynn Palmer Real name: Mathew Palmer Age: 30 Occupation: Flight Attendant, Delta Air Lines

How did you choose your debutante name? I was always enamored by Jessica Rabbit. My mother always thought it was hilarious that I’d walk down the hall, pretending to be in high heels and switching like Jessica. Of course, my stepfather was a bigot (and still is) and would absolutely writhe in contempt.

What made you want to be a debutante? It truly isn’t about the dress but why you wear it. I’ve never done drag, even at Halloween. It’s a different feeling for certain, one even my sister, the first person I “came out” to questions, yet a decision I feel certain can make a difference.

Why is it important for debutantes like yourself to help in the fight against HIV? Until recently, I thought I knew no one who was HIV-positive. In the last couple of weeks several friends have found the courage to confide in me their status. It is for them and those who’ll face that same reality that I fight against HIV. Further, it is also important that we take self-control over our actions of promiscuity, unsafe sex and drug and alcohol abuse to curtail this disease. Again, it’s preventable.

As gay men, we’ve received the message over-and-over. It is up to us to heed it and spread the word.

22

GA Voice

EVENTS

May 28, 2010

Community

www.theGAVoice.com

by MATT SCHAFER

Adding white to the rainbow Don your ‘festive white’ for annual Premiere Party to help LGBT youth One of the summer’s largest parties has a new look as the Premiere Party goes white to raise funds for CHRIS Kids, a gay-inclusive child welfare agency. Proceeds from the June 12 party are earmarked for programs that provide housing and other support to LGBT youth.

“A lot of cities have their white scenes, but Atlanta doesn’t really have one, so we thought that this would be a fun way to have one,” says Premiere Party board member Jim Anastos of the “Festive White” attire for this year’s event.

This year’s party features a new location, moving to Mason Murer Fine Art, and a new liquor sponsor in Grey Goose Vodka. But there will be a familiar hand spinning music with DJ Chris Griswold, who’s helmed previous Premiere Parties.

The Premiere Party raises about $80,000 over the course of the evening through donations, ticket sales and a silent auction featuring items ranging from a week’s stay in a Tuscan villa to limited edition Dolce & Gabbana sun glasses.

The gay bar Blake’s on the Park is also donating a portion of proceeds from its May 30 “Kickoff to Summer” cookout and June 8 turnabout show to Premiere Party.

“Premiere Party is important for a couple of reasons, number one is funds — we need funds for the great things they do [at CHRIS Kids],” Anastos says. “Premiere Party is one of the big engines that keep the good work that they are doing going and spread the word about what they do.”

The funds raised go exclusively to help LGBT youth who age out foster care.

“The last thing you want to do as a non-profit is to restrict funds, but our gay donors are so passionate that we wanted to be able to honor their wishes and give them a chance to donate directly to our GLBT programs,” says Beth Keller, CHRIS Kids director of development.

Rainbow becomes ‘TransitionZ’

CHRIS Kids serves between 200 and 250 LGBT minors throughout Georgia.

While CHRIS Kids provides housing for homeless teenagers in group homes, it also helps those in the foster care system and some who are living at home under trying conditions.

“One thing that I don’t think that people realize

CHRIS Kids Executive Director Kathy Colbenson (right) and Development Director Beth Keller at the opening of the agency’s new apartment community, a $12.1 million project that houses youth ages 17-24, including LGBT youth.

(Photo by Danielle Bois / Courtesy CHRIS Kids)

is that we don’t just serve homeless kids, we help kids who are beat up in foster care, we work with kids who are still in their homes,” Keller says.

“There is a whole plethora of kids who are being ridiculed in school, who can’t take their boyfriends to prom, and are bouncing around from home to home and those are the kids that we get.”

Through its Rainbow Program, CHRIS Kids takes care of people who have aged out of the foster system, but need help establishing adult lives.

The Rainbow Program provides housing and support to gay and transgender young adults as they

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com CHRIS Kids www.chriskids.org Premiere Party June 12, 6-10 p.m. at Mason Murer Fine Art 199 Armour Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324 Tickets: $50 www.premiereparty.org/

enter college or other post high school training.

In March, CHRIS Kids merged its Rainbow and Independent Living programs. The agency now serves homeless LGBT youth, as well as young adults with children, in a new program named “TransitionZ.” Young people in the TransitionZ program live in CHRIS Kids’ new $12.1 million renovated apartment community, dubbed “Summit Trail.”

Community

www.theGAVoice.com

GEORGIA SPOTLIGHT

South Georgia Pride, Inc. Originally organized as a student event on the campus of Valdosta State University, South Georgia Pride is gearing up for its first year as a stand-alone festival. Organizers are working on securing official non-profit status for the group, and have announced the date and location for this year’s festival: Sept. 18 at Valdosta’s Saunders Park.

The planning committee is made up of about 10 people, according to Richard Willis, South Georgia Pride executive director. The organization’s vibrant Facebook group has 103 members, who post on issues ranging from local events to political causes.

South Georgia Pride is also building on the success of previous events held at VSU. “There were approximately 300 people at last year’s Pride,” Willis says. “While that may seem small, with this having taken place in rural south

Georgia Equality

Georgia’s largest LGBT political organization is really two groups in one: Georgia Equality is a political and lobbying group, while the Equality Foundation of Georgia is a 501(c)3 non-profit focused on education and advocacy.

Founded in 1995, Georgia Equality is primarily known for its work lobbying at the Georgia General Assembly and efforts to endorse and elect pro-LGBT candidates.

“This past [legislative] session, our biggest accomplishments were passing the anti-bulling legislation and preventing any cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program,” says Jeff Graham, Georgia Equality executive director. “Our biggest accomplishment of the past year was the election of Simone Bell.”

Bell now represents State House District 58 and is the first openly lesbian African-American state lawmaker in the country.

Georgia Equality’s projects also include the

MORE INFO South Georgia Pride Search “South Georgia Pride, Inc.” on Facebook.com

Georgia, not as publicized as we’d like, and held on one of the hottest days in south Georgia, we were lucky to have that number.”

Building an LGBT organization in a region of the state not known for gay acceptance isn’t easy, Willis says, noting that while local LGBT people “like the idea of the group trying to work for their rights,” some people “are still afraid of how it could affect them and their lives if they are to get involved.”

Still, Willis and other Pride organizers believe South Georgia is ready for its own Pride festival.

“This is the first year as an actual organization not supported by the university itself,” Willis says. “It gives us a chance to grow and be more than just a student event on campus.”

MORE INFO Georgia Equality 1530 DeKalb Ave. NE Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30307 404-523-307, www.georgiaequality.org

Georgia HIV Advocacy Network and helping lobby local governments to pass LGBTinclusive non-discrimination statements and domestic partner benefits, among other efforts.

“Heading into an important campaign year, we’re looking for folks who will help support our endorsed candidates by registering people to vote, making phone calls and canvassing,” Graham says. “We also need people to help with the numerous outreach opportunities presented by the various pride festivals and picnics in June and other major events throughout the summer.”

Georgia Equality is also gearing up for its largest annual fundraiser, Evening for Equality, which is set for June 24.

— Laura Douglas-Brown

May 28, 2010

GA Voice

YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD THE WORLD’S BEST RESEARCH AND CUTTING EDGE SCIENCE IS HERE IN ATLANTA.

LET’S MAKE HIV A THING OF THE PAST.

WE ARE SEEKING MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN BETWEEN 18 AND 45 YEARS OF AGE WHO DO NOT HAVE HIV TO JOIN IN OUR QUEST FOR A VACCINE TO COMBAT HIV. If eligible you will participate in a study to evaluate the safety and the potential efficacy of an HIV vaccine. The vaccine does not contain HIV. You will receive $75 per study visit for your time and travel expenses to the study location in Decatur, Georgia. This study is being conducted by Dr. Mark Mulligan of the Hope Clinic of the Emory Vaccine Center, located at 603 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30030.

WWW.HOPECLINIC.EMORY.EDU | VACCINE@EMORY.EDU HOPE…BE A PART OF IT. CALL 877-424-HOPE(4673) TO LEARN MORE.

W 200 INNE 8 R G AG ANGUARD LCC EL A IAN WA RD

23

GA Voice May 28, 2010 Calendar

BEST BETS 05.28 - 06.10

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ADD YOUR EVENT

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

Friday, May 28

SPOTLIGHT

MondoHomo queer fest takes over Atlanta for Memorial Day Weekend. Tonight is Mondo Cabaret featuring queer drag, burlesque, theater, puppetry and other performance artists from across the country. 9 p.m.-1 a.m., $10 (or $25 for full weekend pass), Eyedrum Gallery, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, 404-522-0655, www.mondohomo.com

Photo courtesy Showtime

DJ Steve James spins at Amsterdam at 10 p.m. No cover. 502-A Amsterdam Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, 404-892-2227, facebook.com/amsterdam.atlanta

Friday, June 4 Sing along to the tunes of ABBA with a showing of “Mamma Mia!” Tickets range from $5-$10, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., The Earl Strand Theatre, 117 N Park Square NE, Marietta, GA 30060, earlsmithstrand.org

Underwear Beach Party with DJ Chiruco. 10 p.m., Chaparral Nightclub, 2715 Buford Hwy., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.chaparralalternativo.com DJ Rick Walsh plays to your Primal Urges and spins at Heretic. 10 p.m., 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com It’s “Studs and Spurs” every Friday at 3 Legged Cowboy. Shows at 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and midnight. 931 Monroe Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, 404-876-0001, www.3leggedcowboy.net The premiere of “London Calling” featuring Susan Bird and DJ KT with $5 Beefeater gin and tonics. $5 cover. 10 p.m., My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave. Atlanta, GA 30316, 678-705-4585, mysistersroom.com

Photo by Jay Rickard

“Independent Atlanta Band Night” with The Falcon Lords, The Judi’s and How I Became the Bomb from Nashville. No cover but donations accepted at the door for bands. 10 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

ne 3 Thursday, Ju stiny Fashionistas, including De

Princess Charles’ ht) gelica D’Paige (bottom rig Brooks (top right) and An 2-F Thursday. 11:30 p.m., 149 take over Burkharts every 30305, www.burkharts.com GA a, Piedmont Ave., Atlant

MORE COMMUNITY EVENTS

www.theGAVoice.com

Looking for more events? Visit our website for our extensive daily calendar, including nightlife schedules and community organization meetings, provided by our friends at ProjectQAtlanta.com.

Friday, May 28-Monday, May 31

Take part in the Big Gay Amazing Race with Hotlanta Softball’s Pink Cadets team. The event starts at noon at Piedmont Park and will include challenges throughout Midtown with lots of great prizes. Cost is $50 per team (five people per team), or $10 for an individual who can be assigned to a team. All players must be 21 and older. Proceeds go to the Pink Cadets who are playing to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation to fight breast cancer. Email thepinkcadets@gmail.com for registration information. www.hotlantasoftball.org

Saturday, May 29

Drag legend Mary Edith Pitts will be entertaining the crowds at gay-owned Lumberjacks Camping Resort. 50 Highway 230, Unadilla, GA 31091, www. lumberjackscampground.com

The Atlanta Xplosion women’s professional fullcontact football team plays its last game of the season at home against the Clarksville Fox. 2 p.m., Centennial High School, 9310 Scott Road, Roswell, GA 30076, www.atlantaxplosion.com

Saturday, May 29

Get ready to shake your booty. MondoHomo presents Mondo Musico, an all-day music fest featuring hip hop, disco, punk, electro, rock, cabaret, and the Atlanta debut of the Sissy Bounce phenom, Sissy Nobby from New Orleans. 2 p.m.-1 a.m. $15.

Eyedrum Gallery, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, 404-522-0655, www.mondohomo.com The Atlanta Beat women’s pro soccer team, which includes an openly gay goalkeeper, plays the Saint Louis Athletica. 7 p.m., Kennesaw State University soccer stadium, 3220 George Busbee Pkwy. NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144-4999, www.womensprosoccer.com/atlanta

Publicity photo

Saturday, June 5

Princess Charles by Dyana Bagby, others via Facebook and MySpace

24

Siren Saturdays presents “Black Out” hosted by Melody My Sister’s Room, 10 p.m., 1271 GlenDJ Melody. wood Ave. Atlanta, GA 30316, 678-705-4585, www.mysistersroom.com

Sunday, May 30 DJ Rick Walsh spins at Heretic. 10 p.m., 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com Mixx Atlanta serves up A Deeper Love with DJ Ron Pullman. 10 p.m. 1492 Piedmont Ave. #B, Atlanta, GA 30309. www.mixxatlanta.com

MondoHomo keeps the party going with HomoCon, a free day of creative workshops. Free. Noon to 4 p.m. Then at 8 p.m. the fest presents Mondo Cinema featuring outrageous queer film shorts. $5. Eyedrum Gallery, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, 404-522-0655, www.mondohomo.com

Calendar

May 28, 2010

GA Voice

Photo by Kendra

www.theGAVoice.com

SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Sunday, May 30

Lesbian musician Garrison Starr in concert along with The Rescues. Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at door, $75 tables. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, 404-377-4976, eddiesattic.com

VJDJ Hot Rod Killer mixes the hottest dance videos. 9 p.m., No cover. Amsterdam, 502-A Amsterdam Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, 404-8922227, www.facebook.com/amsterdam.atlanta Chris Coleman and Fernando Jardim present “Q” with Twisted Dee, an all-night party. 10 p.m.-8 a.m., Legends, 181 Ralph David Albernathy Blvd. SW, Atlanta, GA 30312, chriscolemanenterprises.com Ladies at Play’s Memorial Weekend bash bash. First floor with DJ M3, second floor with DJ Gaffle, third floor is karaoke. On the rooftop will be live music by the Kassondra Rockswell Band. 9 p.m.

At FAB (French American Brasserie), 30 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30308, www.ladiesatplay.com

Monday, May 31

The Georgia chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights, a group that supports LGBT veterans, holds its annual Memorial Day Taps Ceremony at Piedmont Park. Noon at the veterans memorial in front of the old American Legion hall at intersection of Piedmont Avenue and 12th Street. Acting Atlanta Police Chief George Turner will attend. www.avergeorgia.org MondoHomo concludes with Homo Day Camp at Cabbagetown Park. Playground sports and, of course, outdoor cruising. Free. Noon-5 p.m. 200 Tye St. (at Kirkwood Avenue), Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mondohomo.com DJ Sean Mac spins for Mixx Atlanta’s First Anniversary T-Dance. 1492 Piedmont Ave. #B, Atlanta, GA 30309. Mixxatlanta.com

Friday, June 4

The Atlanta Dream takes on the Chicago Sky in women’s pro basketball. 7 p.m., Philips Arena, 1Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.wnba.com/dream (Photo via Facebook)

Tuesday, June 1

It’s movie night and $2 tapas with a showing of “I Am Sam” at Las Margaritas. 7:30 p.m. 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, 404-8734464, www.lasmargaritasmidtown.com “The Politics of Love Tour” featuring Tom Goss and Jeremiah Clark. Admission is $10 at the door with proceeds going to support Augusta Pride.

Showtime is at 7 p.m. at Le Chat Noir, 304 8th St., Augusta, GA 30901. www.prideaugusta.org

friday, june 4

Wednesday, June 2

It’s Texas Hold ‘Em every Wednesday at Bellissima. 6:30 p.m. 560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.myspace.com/bellissima_lounge

Friday, June 4

The incomparable Diana Ross brings her “More Today than Yesterday” greatest hits tour to Atlanta.

8 p.m. at Chastain Park Amphitheater, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.ticketmaster.com It’s an annual tradition. The Boys of Summer Swimsuit contest comes to Mary’s with the winner taking home $100. The contest starts promptly at 9 p.m. 1287 Glenwood Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com “Relax and Rewind” at a new 1980s-inspired party from Bill Kaelin and Barry Brandon. Featuring DJ Shane V and DJ Sydney Slain. 10 p.m., Hobnob, 1551 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 www.hobnobatlanta.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

WITH SPECIAL GUEST

with the

ALSO DAVID

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

FRIDAY, JULY 2

RHODES

TheB52s.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6

FOR THE LATEST CONCERT CALENDAR & VENUE INFO, VISIT DELTACLASSICCHASTAIN.COM Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets including Publix Super Markets.

1.800.745.3000

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(Monday - Friday: 10AM - 8PM; Saturday: Noon - 8PM; Sunday: Noon - 5PM)

Group Sales 404.733.4848 Delta Classic Chastain Concerts at Chastain Park Amphitheater produced by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Promoter Concerts take place rain or shine. Artists and schedules are subject to change.

All sales final. No exchanges or refunds.

Blondie.net

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25

25

GA Voice May 28, 2010

Calendar

www.theGAVoice.com

!

10 Thursday, Juenne is back in Piedmont

Photo courtesy Dreamworks

EVENTS

Screen on the Gre g of “Dreamgirls,�

Park with tonight’s viewin Beyonce Knowles, starring Jennifer Hudson, y. Hudson and Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murph supporting t bes Murphy won Oscars for allowed to are sts Gue actress and actor. erages, but bev lic oho alc and bring picnics s begin at sunset. no glass containers. Movie www.piedmontpark.org

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

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Saturday, June 5Sunday, June 6

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DJ Vicki Powellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two-day party Flux Deluxe, this month in honor of Bill Kaelinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40th birthday. DJs and performance art. The event begins with the Flux dance party on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. On Sunday enjoy a special brunch and rooftop pool party. Special room rates available; to make a reservation call Kaelin at 404-3965750. The Livingston Restaurant & Bar, 659 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, livingstonatlanta.com

Sunday, June 6

The Roy G Biv Project partners with My Sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Room for a family day at the lesbian-owned bar. A smoke-free event, the party includes punch and snacks for the kids, beer and wine for the adults. $5 for adults and $3 for children age 6 and younger. 1271 Glenwood Ave. Atlanta, GA 30316, 678-705-4585, mysistersroom. com, atlanta-lgbt-glbt-moms-dads.meetup.com

Wednesday, June 9

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Photo via Facebook

26

A panel of experts joins the Atlanta LGBT Immigration Forum. Co-sponsored by the National Queer Asian PaciďŹ c Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), the Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Raksha and Asians and Friends. Free. 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Phillip Rush Center, 1530 DeKalb Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. E-mail ben_deguzman@nqapia.org.

UPCOMING Saturday, June 12

Premiere Party to beneďŹ t CHRIS Kids with proceeds going to help LGBT homeless youth.

Festive white attire suggested. DJ Chris Griswold will be on the turntables. General admission in advance is $50 and at the door is $60. 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Mason Murer Fine Art, 199 Armour Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.premiereparty.org

Saturday, June 19

MEGA Family Project hosts Doughnuts for Dad Social meet-up for Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. 10 a.m. to noon at Piedmont Park. Also today, MEGA Family Project presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Creating a Family: Choices for Prospective LGBT Families,â&#x20AC;? the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature all-day workshop. Registration details for both events available at www.megafamilyproject.org

May 28, 2010

www.theGAVoice.com

GA Voice

COCKTAILS, SILENT AUCTION, MUSIC, AND MORE

SATURDAY, JUNE 12TH, 6-10 PM MASON MURER FINE ART

FESTIVE WHITE ATTIRE SPONSOR

(199 Armour Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324)

GENERAL ADMISSION in advance $50 / at the door $60 ADMISSION INCLUDES OPEN BAR featuring Grey Goose premium cocktails, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly and food buffet by Bridge Catering VIP LOUNGE MUSIC BY DJ CHRIS GRISWOLD TICKETS/INFO/VIP SPONSORSHIPS:

www.premiereparty.org

Proceeds help LGBT homeless youth transition from the streets to self-sufficient adults

27