August July 20, 23, 2020 July 16, 2020
Face Mask But Make It
Fashion
Staying Cool in Hot Essentials Insta Bae Dreams Won’t Come True 10 Things Trans Folks Wanted You to Know
Exclamation! TIMES ARE TOUGH, PERIOD. But question: Is fashion disposable right now? With the year’s must-have accessory firmly affixed, yes, we exclaim!
Michael Kors once called proper accessorizing the exclamation point to any look, and we agree. Still, after six months of sweatpants and shirts standing in for TV binging bibs, and as we suffer the hottest 50 consecutive days in Georgia history (No really, look it up), we understand that it can be hard to care what you’re wearing or how you look.
The Q ATLus cover package opens with six switches you can make to your
current summer wardrobe that will set you apart and still be easy-breezy for those Zoom meetings and patio meals. Since you are or should be wearing a mask with those looks, we also rounded up some gays putting their personal exclamation on plain ol’ face coverings.
In news and features, one of the Ambassadors selected for the nationwide Drag
Out the Vote Campaign is from Atlanta. In Q Community, SHI talks about why this is the perfect gig for her. In 10 Q Things, we hear from locals about their greatest reliefs after coming out as trans or nonbinary.
As your one-stop shop for LGBTQ things to do in Atlanta, this issue also
includes a handy, supersized Q Events calendar, the Q Map of businesses to frequent, and Q Advice to take with you wherever you go.
Enjoy, share, look for us next week, and find new content every day at theQatl.com. You can also write mike@theQatl.com. Period and exclamation point!
RICHARD CHERSKOV PUBLISHER & SALES RICHARD@THEQATL.COM 404-917-9678 JOHN NAIL ART DIRECTOR JOHN@THEQATL.COM
MIKE FLEMING EDITOR MIKE@THEQATL.COM RIVENDELL MEDIA NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM 212-242-6863 theQatl.com 5
INSIDE THIS ISSUE VO LU M E 3 I S S U E 2 7
AU G U S T 2 0, 2 0 2 0
LIBERATION
Revelations Of Coming Out Trans
19 COVER
8
Face Off
Masks, But Make It Fashion
14
COMMUNITY
11
Diplomat
SHI Drags Young Voters to the Polls Q EVENTS
24 10 Things.......................... 8 Community..................... 11 Q Events........................ 24 Q Map............................. 26 Q Advice......................... 30 6 theQatl.com
Go On Then
The Best LGBTQ Things to Do
30 FASHION
Easy Breezy
What Not To Wear
10 THINGS
8 theQatl.com
Free to BE Transgender and nonbinary folks share the best things about coming out trans Your Own Standards
“At some level you stop caring what greater society thinks, and it’s such a freeing feeling.” — Lynn
Words Matter
“After a lifetime of questioning, finally gaining the words to articulate who and what I am without hesitation or self-loathing.” — Colin
Gender Positive
“Some of the “woker” precincts of social media try to push the idea that gender should be dismantled, canceled, transcended, and that it’s ethically incumbent on you as a queer person to make it happen. Ignore this. It’s dumb. It’s OK to want gender, to identify along the spectrum or outside the spectrum of the construct.” — Andrea
Superpowers
“I like to view being transgender as a superpower, and I can wield it like any other individual characteristic like being smart or bubbly or thoughtful.” — Heather
Fresh Air
“I feel like a person who always had one lung and got a second one and felt what it was like to breathe for the first time.” — Michelle
You Be You “It was much the same way of accepting myself as queer: I no longer had to spend so much time and energy working on being someone who I wasn’t and would never be.” — Jared
Belonging
Pride
Peace
Reclaiming Power
“Once out, other people appear who are out too, and you find community, and you realize that you never felt you belonged anywhere until now. You’re not alone.” — Terri “The best part about finally being able to live authentically is the sense of inner peace, and the fact that my relationships with people feel more genuine.” — Jamie Elizabeth
“I spent so much time worrying. Now every day I try to make my younger, closeted self proud, and it’s the most satisfying, actualized thing in the world to tell him he did it, he made it.” — Conner “The moment you come out, nobody can harm you with your identity. They can’t hurt you by telling you what you just told them. Being trans isn’t a bad thing anymore.” — Clee
theQatl.com 9
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10 theQatl.com
COMMUNITY
How is SHI, tho?
Atlanta queen named a Drag Out the Vote Ambassador By Mike Fleming WHAT DOES A BURGEONING organization do in the battle to get younger
LGBTQ voters of color to the polls, especially when they may feel disenfranchised and dis-
connected from traditional outreach methods? Arm, inform, train and weaponize a nation of
drag queens to hit the front lines, of course. ď ľ
PHOTO COURTESY GREG VAUGHAN
theQatl.com 11
DRAG OUT THE VOTE continued That’s exactly what went down when the Drag
Once trained, Drag Ambassadors are equipped
SHI as an Ambassador from Georgia.
form to get folx registered and voting.
Out the Vote campaign tapped local performer “We need to count every single vote in our
community,” says SHI, who is known in other circles as activist, civil rights advocate and
Q Atlus columnist Bentley Hudgins. “Voter suppression and disenfranchisement is real
in every election. It’s important that all of us
use our right to vote to elect people who will make the concrete changes we want see.”
Drag Out The Vote is a nonpartisan nonprofit
with a mission to educate, register, and turn out voters of all types through drag, but especially
queer people, 18-25-year-olds, people of color, and queer people of color. It’s a role SHI was born to play.
“In my day-time job at New Georgia Project, I also work to build real power for QTBI-
POC through the work to defend democracy, get out the vote and hold elected officials
with resources and tools to help use their platWhat do you need from people who want to help or participate?
I need those who are taking the time to read this article to check their voter registration status. You can also go to the Secretary of
State’s website to view your sample ballot for the upcoming election.
“Voter suppression and disenfranchisement is real in every election. It’s important that all of us use our right to vote to elect people who will make the concrete changes we want see.”
accountable to the people that they repre-
sent,” the performer says. “Voting is one of the many ways that we can do just that.
It isn’t the most we can do, but the least. We
still need to continue to march, rally, protest, lobby and activate.”
We asked SHI to lay out a quick 101 on the
program, her ambassadorship and the need for voter participation from all corners.
What does a Drag Ambassador do? Drag Out The Vote’s Drag Ambassador Program is a first-of-its-kind initiative to mo-
bilize drag artists in all 50 states to increase
— SHI Drag Out The Vote also has a voter registration link, and if you would like to be an ambassador with me, visit my socials and send me a message.
Anything else you’d like to add? Tips for staying the course?
Stay plugged in on my pages for resources, job
opportunities, political education and volunteer opportunities.
The most important things we can do right now is to drink water and fight for justice.
voter participation in their communities this
Find SHI on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and all
with the tools and training they need to regis-
TheVote2020.org, NewGeorgiaProject.org, and the
November. They will be providing drag artists ter voters and make their voices heard. 12 theQatl.com
social platforms at @howisshitho. Visit DragOutGeorgia Secretary of State’s voter site.
COVER
FASHION
Six Summer
SWITCHES
Hot fashion essentials for hotter weather that replace six tired quarantine items to stop wearing now By Mike Fleming YOU’RE THINKING, I GOT THIS. THE lazy days of lockdown make it simple to dress. But these six tweaks to your t-shirt-shortssweats-repeat routine can keep things easybreezy, while keeping your style game on point for those Zoom calls and virtual cocktail parties. While you weren’t looking, some items in your wardrobe became worn out, and gasp, maybe even passé. Replace them with fresh go-to garments to refresh your summer style while you stay cool and classic. We know, you know, and every gay in Atlanta on a Midtown patio knows that we aren’t going to talk some guys out of their tank tops and flip-flops. These alternatives will still fit in while helping you stand out — in the best way. Even better? All of these work for whatever your gender or presentation may be.
STRAIGHT LEG, SLIM-FIT CHINO The only thing straight about you may be these pants. Find the pair that fits best and then buy more in other colors. Too wide looks sloppy and says “Sad Dad” not “Hot Daddy.” Note that no one said “skinny.” It’s trendy but unflattering on all but the thinnest body types. We recommend: Most styles by Bonobos, or J Crew 484 Cut for lean guys, 770 Urban Slim Cut for thicker boys Not: Boot cut or flared. Are the backs walked-on? Don’t even.
TENNIS SHOE, CANVAS SNEAKER Some regions call all sneakers “tennis shoes,” but the actual shoe built for tennis, in white, are part of the ‘80s throwback thing that brought back the Wayfarer sunglasses. Agassi approved, and bonus: They literally go with everything, yes even that suit on the right occasion. We recommend: Take a tip from the rest of the world: Adidas is the new Nike. Canvas versions for wetter occasions. Not. Flip flops are really only best near water. Leave them in the boathouse or by the shower. 14 theQatl.com
THROWBACK SUNGLASSES Keep your aviators in rotation, but summer fun is your chance to mix it up. Wayfarers and round frames are both back because they work on so many faces. Think Kennedy in 1961 and Cruise in 1983. Now add tortoise texture and look at Orlando Bloom for 2016 inspiration. We recommend: Styles by Ray Ban, Warby Parker, America Optics Not: Oakleys and other wraparounds. Just because your story starts, “The year was 1998,” doesn’t mean your sunglasses have to too. NAVY SUMMER SUIT You want to wear shorts every day, but a summer suit is essential for fancy occasions or cranking up casual ones. The right one is simple and classic, in a lightweight blend that keeps its shape and doesn’t wrinkle too easily. And despite what Netflix lesbians say, navy is the OG new black. We recommend: Brand is less important than quality, but they often coincide. Find the right one for your body, then wear it with everything, even your inseparable tank top and sandals. Yes, really. Not: Overly wide or super skinny ties. Too far either way says that you’re trying to be cool more than you’re actually cool.
SHORT-SLEEVE HENLEYS, NONPIQUE POLOS, COLORBLOCK TEES Your “ironic” graphic tee is still fine for working out and running errands, but these are the best ways to look like you tried harder without actually have to, well, try harder. We recommend: Paying closest attention to fit, and too tight is just as unflattering as too baggy. Not: Golf-length sleeves. Half-bicep is a good rule of thumb, tight enough to hug, not strangle, the upper arm.
SOLID OR FINE-PRINT FLAT-FRONT SHORTS Longer shorts have enjoyed a long comeback for decades, but heads up: The hems are rising again, to the excitement of gay leg men everywhere. We haven’t reached ’70s-level short-shorts, but it’s time to start shifting your mindset. We recommend: Finding the perfect shorts in a 7" – 9" seam – yours are probably 10" – 12" right now – then buy them in multiple colors. They’re shorter than you’re used to, but not quite European-level awkward yet. Not: Bermudas or Cargo shorts. Phase out the former and eliminate the latter. theQatl.com 15
COVER
Face
OFF Masks But Make
It Fashion
Curated By Mike Fleming
YOU HAVE TO/SHOULD be wearing one, so we found gays entering rooms mask first as the crowning jewels of their looks. Here are some inspirational and aspirational ways to wear the latest musthave accessory. ď ľ
theQatl.com 19
MASKS continued
20 theQatl.com
theQatl.com 21
I take Pride in helping everyone.
Jesse Watts, RealtorÂŽ
M: 678-237-5310 | O: 404-604-3100 | jwatts5310@gmail.com jessewatts.kw.com | c @jessewattsrealtor Licensed in Georgia. Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is a real estate franchise company. Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated. Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports the Fair Housing Act.
22 theQatl.com
Q Events
August 20 – August 26
SATURDAY, AUG. 22 Eagle Nights The leather and Levi’s you miss have missed you too. City regs and socially responsible partying goes seven nights a week @ Atlanta Eagle, 8 p.m. atlantaeagle.com
The Best LGBTQ Things to Do in Atlanta This Week FRIDAY, AUG. 21 Slow Jamz RPDR alum Vixen headlines drag show of R&B classics from the ever-whirring creative minds at Atlanta’s House of Alxndr. Get into the groove @ Twitch, 9:30 p.m. Tickets at tayloralxndr.com
Sisters Summertime The backyard and patio are open again for women who love women in the open air @ My Sister’s Room, Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m. – 3 a.m. Pssst. They also sell gallon margs and taco bar kits for delivery or pickup. mysistersroom.com
SATURDAY, AUG. 22 Boys of Alabama Charis Director E.R. Anderson discusses this Southern Gothic reinvention novel about two misfit boys who discover each other with its queer author @ Zoom, 10 a.m. charisbooksandmore.com
SATURDAY, AUG. 22 Roar It’s a Queen City Kings Pride show with guests including the Toronto Kings (photo), and ATL in the house courtesy King Perka Sexxx @ Twitch, 9 p.m. twitch.tv/queencitykingsdrag theQatl.com 23
EVENTS continued LGBTQ ATL Book Club Join the online discussion of this month’s selection, the classic The Color Purple @ Zoom, 10 a.m. charisbooksandmore.com
SUNDAY, AUG. 23
Big Ass Telethon 3 Wussy and SFQP throw this online party with hosts Brigitte and Ella (photo), plus performers galore raising money for Southern queers and to “end metronormativity” @ Twitch, 9 p.m. twitch.tv/ endmetronormativity
TUESDAY, AUG. 25 VJ Mister Richard The spin master plays video favorites during this weekly online party to supplement Woofs’ employees for their pandemic troubles @ Twitch, 6 p.m. twitch.tv/VJ_MisterRichard
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26
X Summer Gather on the refreshed patio and newly branded hotspot for Sunday Funday food and drinks @ X Midtown (formerly Ten Atlanta), 4 p.m. - 12 midnight. facebook.com/XMidtownX
SUNDAY, AUG. 23 Xion Afterhours If you’re having fun at Heretic on Saturday night, you are a quick hop across the parking lot from more shirtless gay boys until Sunday sunrise @ Xion, 3 a.m. – 7 p.m. xionatlanta.com 24 theQatl.com
Wild out Wednesday Every week, there is an online drag show and audience interaction hour that is as unique as its gabby hosts, the ones-andonlies Nicole Paige Brooks and Mo’Dest Volgare. Get into it @ Facebook Live, 9 p.m. facebook.com/nicolepaigebrooks
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theQatl.com 25
on tA ve .N E dm Pi e
5
10
11th St. NE
9
10th St. NE
Amsterdam Ave.
Dr. N E
Piedmont Park
14th St. NE
12th St. NE
1 13
Mon roe
West Peachtree St. NE
E
75
t. N eS tre
85
ach Pe
Spring St. NW
Q Atlus Map
11 6
Virginia Ave. NE
2 9th St. NE
12 7
Key
Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
Bars
Restaurants North Ave. NW
North Ave. NW
Clubs Retail/Services
Not Shown
1. Amsterdam Cafe 502 Amsterdam Ave. NE
8. Flex 76 4th St NW
2. Blakes on the Park 227 10th St. NE
9. Henry’s Midtown Tavern 132 10th St NE
Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave SE
10. Joe’s on Juniper Ralph McGill Blvd. NE 1049 Juniper St NE
Sister Louisa’s 466 Edgewood Ave SE
4. Friends on Ponce 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 5. My Sister’s Room 84 12th St
11. Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina 187 10th St NE Highland Ave. NE
6. X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave. NE
12. Barking Leather After Dark 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE (inside Eagle)
7. Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
13. Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
26 theQatl.com
Future (Opens July 3) 50 Lower Alabama St SW, Suite 180 Glen Iris Dr. NE
3. Bulldogs Bar 893 Peachtree St NE
4
The T 465 Boulevard SE Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Dr NW Lips Drag Show Palace 3011 Buford Highway NE Lost ’n Found Youth Thift Store 2585 Chantilly Dr NE
Ponce De Leon Pl. NE
St. Charles Ave.
Ponce De Leon Pl. NE
r. NE roe D Mon
Charles Allen Dr. NE
NE
NE
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Ave.
Spring St. NW
8
3 Juniper St. NE
85
Peachtree St.
75
West Peachtree St. NE
8th St. NE
Lin
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Dr.
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Dr.
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10
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85
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ve. sA ter
Lav
Alco S t. NE
Piedmont Ave. NE
3
NE
8 E
d. N eR
dg
Bri
Key
Bars Restaurants Clubs Retail/Services
Cheshire Bridge Road 5. The Heretic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
9. Gravity Fitness 2201 Faulkner Rd NE
2. Tripp’s Bar 1931 Piedmont Circle NE
6. Las Margaritas 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
10. Southern Nights 2205 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
3. Woof’s Sports Bar 494 Plasters Ave NE
7. Roxx Tavern 1824 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
11. Tokyo Valentino (Cheshire Bridge) 1739 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
4. BJ Rooster’s 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
8. 2Qute Hair Salon 1927 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
nr Mo
3
5
Pied
4. Oscar’s 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
tA ve .N E on ed m
r. NE
Pi
5. Barking Leather 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 6. Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE
D Monroe
Piedmont Park
1. Felix’s on the Square 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
3. Midtown Moon 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
8
6
Ansley Park 2. The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE
E
4
r. N
7
D oe
2 1
Morningside Dr. NE
mon t
Ave. NE
1. Sequel Bar 1086 Alco St. NE
Key
Bars Restaurants Clubs Retail/Services
7. Brushstrokes 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 8. Equilibrium Fitness 1529 Piedmont Ave NE
theQatl.com 27
Q Atlus Map Directory The businesses on the preceding pages are integral parts of Atlanta’s LGBTQ landscape. Those listed in boxes are consistent Q partners and community allies. BARS, CLUBS & RESTAURANTS Amsterdam Cafe 502 Amsterdam Ave. NE Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE BJ Roosters 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Blakes on the Park 227 10th St. NE Bulldogs Bar 893 Peachtree St NE Felix’s on the Square 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Friends on Ponce 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Future 50 Lower Alabama St SW, Suite 180 Henry’s Midtown Tavern 132 10th St NE The Heretic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road NE The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE Joe’s on Juniper 1049 Juniper St NE Las Margaritas 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Lips Drag Show Palace 3011 Buford Highway NE Mama’s Cocina 1958 Piedmont Road NE Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave SE Midtown Moon 1510 Piedmont Ave NE My Sister’s Room 84 12th St Oscar’s 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
28 theQatl.com
Roxx Tavern 1824 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
Sequel Bar 1086 Alco St. NE Sister Louisa’s 466 Edgewood Ave SE Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Dr NW The T 465 Boulevard SE Tripp’s Bar 1931 Piedmont Circle NE Woof’s Sports Bar 494 Plasters Ave NE X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave. NE Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina 187 10th St NE
RETAIL & SERVICES 2Qute Hair Salon 1927 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Barking Leather 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Barking Leather After Dark 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE (inside Atlanta Eagle) Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE Brushstrokes 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Equilibrium Fitness 1529 Piedmont Ave NE Lost ’n Found Youth Thrift Store 2585 Chantilly Dr NE Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
ADULT Flex 76 4th St NW Southern Nights 2205 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Starship Galaxy/Starship Novelties 2273 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Tokyo Valentino 1739 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
PALS supports people in Atlanta who are elderly or who are living with or disabled due to a critical illness. We provide pet food and basic veterinary care for the pets of our clients, which enables them to keep their pets. You can support PALS by:
• Attending our monthly Drag •
• •
Queen Bingo fundraisers. Making PALS the beneficiary. of your Amazon Smile, Kroger Plus or Chewy.com accounts. Making a donation online. To learn more about PALS or to donate visit:
www.palsatlanta.org
Q Advice
Virtual
REALITY
Your Insta-Crush is Not About to Date You
Q
I slid into the Instagram DMs of a popular influencer. He responded, and even though
he has a monstrous following for his sexier content and sponsored merch, we connected on a deeper level. Before you even think it, yes, he definitely
knows who I am and we talk often.
every day? Depending on his reach and the nature of his content, it could be a lot. How many would you be comfortable with on an ongoing basis?
How good to you think this person is at curating
his content and interacting with his fans? Is there a
chance he’s activating those energies when he interacts with you to generate interest?
Now consider your dilemma over “the real him.” In a real relationship, you’d already have a
better idea which parts of him are authentic. Grubbing through the clues in his
posts, which he curates for profit, might
not ever reveal his true offline self.
Now I’m trying to decide how to get to
the next level. He’s definitely one of these online hot bodies, but he’s also one to post those shots with 900-word
captions on serious topics. Should I
appeal to his serious side, or compliment his #protestsexy hashtag?
Sometimes I feel like he’s a messy flirt, starved for attention. Other
times, he might not respond at all,
then I wonder if maybe he’s the strong silent type that I actually need.
Maybe he embodies the crazy that’s good for sex and the calm that’s good for a mate. Before I decide if I want to pursue a relationship, how can I figure out which side is the real him? Dear Fanboy: Step 1 might be to meet the guy in person. I say
that half-hoping you are kidding, but knowing that online fantasies can feel real. Step 2 is to slow your roll long enough to ask yourself some questions.
How many people probably DM with this person 30 theQatl.com
Can you say with any certainty that he would even be interested in a date, much less meeting you in person? What would you do if his answer is no.
Bottom line: There’s a good chance your relationship is virtual, not reality. Fantasize all you want,
but leave it when you close the app. If you insist on seeing this through, run a test: Stop DMing and see how long it takes to hear back from him.
Q Advice is intended for entertainment, not professional counseling. Send your Qs to mike@theQatl.com. ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON