August July 27, 23, 2020 July 16, 2020
Go!
Can’t Keep a Peach Party Down
Queer Culture Signals That Are Here to Stay COVID’s Unseen Toll on LGBTQ Homeless Teens Party Boy Litters the Field with Red Flags
Party ON WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING TO POKE your head out from a responsible distance or stay huddled in air-conditioned isolation, this issue of Q ATLus is ready to keep your mind engaged and your calendar full. After a delay due to — (gestures broadly) you know, 2020, etc. — the annual Peach Party is a go for this weekend with seven events across three days. Our cover story lines up the DJs from Atlanta and around the world who will be driving the beats. The party series is just the beginning of the Q Events calendar, which is packed with virtual and in-person things to do. You can also check out the Q Map of communityminded businesses and our advertising pages for places to go and people to see. Speaking of folks to see, event promoter, charity founder and restauranteur Gee Smalls adds “author” to his resume with his new memoir, Black Enough, Man Enough. Meet him in Q People. All the while, stay focused on what’s important in our weekly features. Get a lift in 10 Q Things: Signs that LGBTQ Culture is Here to Stay, and burst a false bubble in Q Advice: Your Insta-Crush Will Disappoint You. Join us for fresh LGBTQ takes every day at theQatl.com, on your social platforms and streaming services, and in your inbox by request via info@theQatl.com.
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 8
AU G U S T 2 7, 2 0 2 0
HERE TO STAY
Lasting Queer Influences
18 COVER
10
Peachy
Meet the 2020 Peach Party DJs
24
PEOPLE
8
His Story
‘Black Enough, Man Enough’ COMMUNITY
13 Q People............................ 8 10 Queer Things............. 10 Q Community................. 13 Q Events......................... 24 Q Map............................. 26 Q Advice......................... 30 6 theQatl.com
Fallout
COVID strains LGBTQ Homeless Youth
30 Q EVENTS
Get Into It Out & About and At Home
Q
PEOPLE
‘Black ENOUGH’ Gee Smalls’ best-laid plans on Podcast Q
By Matt Hennie GEE SMALLS IS QUICK TO ADMIT THAT his biggest accomplishments haven’t been planned. But the successes just keep coming for the Black LGBTQ restaurateur, author and non-profit founder. His latest is a new memoir – Black Enough Man Enough. It takes a deep dive into his life across 28 chapters and more than 350 pages. It doesn’t pull any punches in dealing with racism, homophobia, masculinity, marriage and fatherhood. “This has been another thing that was not planned. I never intended on writing a book,” Smalls said during an interview for a new episode of Podcast Q. “Once you start that story, you start remembering all of these things and all of these wounds start getting healed.” 8 theQatl.com
Smalls said that the book might be the most impactful thing he’s done, which is saying something for the man who, with his husband Juan, launched Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar in 2019 in College Park. They also co-created the popular Gentlemen’s Ball and its Gentlemen’s Foundation, which celebrates Black LGBTQ people. Smalls discussed the book, running a restaurant during a pandemic, whether the Gentlemen’s Ball is coming back, and the ongoing racial justice movement during an episode of Podcast Q. Listen to it at theQatl.com, or subscribe on Apple, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher or your favorite podcast app. Visit thegentlemensfoundation.org and virgilsgullahkitchen.com, and find ‘Black Enough Man Enough’ through all major e-book and booksellers.
Q
10 THINGS
Who We Nerve
ARE
10 aspects of LGBTQ identity Originality that aren’t going anywhere
Pride Kink
The Big Love 10 theQatl.com
Activism
Survival Instincts
Sex-Positivity Showmanship
Counterculture
PHOTO COURTESY GREG VAUGHAN
theQatl.com 11
Exceptional
SERVICE.
Exceptional
RESULTS.
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12 theQatl.com
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COMMUNITY
Q
LIFELINES
Atlanta’s LGBTQ homeless youth find saving graces during pandemic By Patrick Saunders
TWO HOMELESS ORGANIZATIONS serving LGBTQ youth in Atlanta have scrapped plans for new shelters, launched online fundraisers and shifted housing strategies in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Housing stability is more vital than ever, according to Nasheeda Muhammad, co-executive director of Lost N Found Youth. “For our youth, sheltering in place was not an option,” she told Project Q Atlanta. “Washing hands daily was a luxury prior to the pandemic.
They are depending on organizations like ours to be their lifeline.” In the last six months, Lost N Found canceled multiple events and programs, faced an increased demand for services and saw a decrease in donations. The group also made its 12 beds for emergency and transitional housing at Park Avenue Baptist Church available for extended stays, Muhammad said.
Lost N Found’s space at Park Avenue Baptist Church includes a 5,000-square foot youth dropin center that opened in October. The group also has eight beds for emergency and transitional housing at its shelter in the West End. The Fulton County Board of Health helped the group get both facilities in compliance with federal, state and local guidelines on pandemic safety. theQatl.com 13
YOUTH continued The organization’s namesake thrift store on Chantilly Drive near Interstate 85 and Cheshire Bridge Road closed for two months during pandemic lockdowns. The store accounts for 60 percent of the group’s revenue, according to Muhammad. It has since reopened with reduced hours and new safety protocols in place.
on a weekly basis, and they haven’t had a job to do that.”
Lost N Found also postponed all in-person fundraising events, including its annual gala. Supporters have helped fill in the gaps, Muhammad said.
Rent, utilities and insurance at the existing shelter is $4,000 per month, and residents pay $500 a month for rent and utilities. That revenue disappeared as residents lost their jobs in March and April, Westbrook said. Since then, two of the five residents found new jobs, and Rainbow House launched a GoFundMe campaign in June that’s raised $3,000 of a $10,000 goal.
“We’ve had individuals who have stepped up and hosted small fundraisers for us or donated items like cleaning supplies and masks,” she said. “It’s been nice to know we have the community behind us in our work.”
“It has put a definite strain on our financial resources,” Westbrook said. “The fundraiser set us up so we should be able to continue to do what we’re doing till the end of the year at least, and by then they should have everything in place.”
NEW SHELTERS POSTPONED
The pandemic also put an emotional strain on the residents.
Rainbow House Coalition opened a five-bedroom West End shelter for transgender homeless youth in 2019. The group had plans to open two more shelters before the pandemic hit, according to Co-Founder and Executive Director Rick Westbrook. “We decided to pull back out of those two projects, and I’m glad we did because every resident lost their job,” he said. “The program we have is designed to work with the resident paying rent
14 theQatl.com
“All the clients have gone through major depression from being cooped up so long,” Westbrook said. “There’s had to be a lot of pep talks.” Westbrook co-founded Lost N Found Youth in 2011 and resigned as executive director of the group in 2018. He launched Rainbow House later that year. For more on this story and the best local LGBTQ news of interest, visit theQatl.com.
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.
theQatl.com 15
Q
COVER
Line ’Em
UP DJs ready to rock Peach Party WITH AN ANNUAL tradition to uphold, a gaggle of gay guys ready to dance and clubs decked in state regulations, Peach Party 2020 is on. The sold-out crowds will be smaller by necessity this year, but the anticipation is stll high for three nights, two days, three venues and seven events. Of course, it’s the DJs that bring all the boys to the yard, and Peach Party delivers the thumping beats. Check out the following pages for a preview of the mix masters, from Atlanta and around the world, and their Peach Party schedules on the following pages.
DJ GSP Greece Peach Party Kickoff Friday at Heretic, 10 p.m. Soundcloud: gspdj 18 theQatl.com
DJ Jesus Montanez Mexico Peach Party Main Event Saturday at Heretic, 10 p.m. Soundcloud: jesus_montanez
theQatl.com 19
PEACH PARTY continued
DJ “Twisted” Dee Martello Atlanta Peach Party Closing Party Sunday at District, 7 p.m. - Midnight Soundcloud: dj-twisted-dee
20 theQatl.com
PEACH PARTY continued
DJ Paulo Fragoso Brasil Peach Party Tea Dance Saturday at Heretic, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
DJ Seth Breezy Atlanta Friday Afterhours Saturday morning at Xion/BJ Roosters, 3 a.m.
And FEATURING... DJ Cindel Chicago Saturday Afterhours Sunday morning at Xion/BJ Roosters, 3 a.m.
DJ Deanne Indianaplois/South Florida/Atlanta Sunday Afterhours Monday morning at Xion/BJ Roosters, 3 a.m. 22 theQatl.com
Q Events
The Best LGBTQ Things to Do in Atlanta This Week
SATURDAY, AUG. 29
FRIDAY, AUG. 28 – SUNDAY, AUG. 30
for Gaga,” what’s not to
Chromatica Hour With a subtitle “Goo Goo love? Wussy hosts an array of performances for the little monsters @ Twitch, 8 p.m. twitch.tv/wussymag 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,
Peach Party
8 p.m. atlantaeagle.com
Three days, two nights and seven events keep the
SUNDAY, AUG. 30
annual party series going, Pandemic be damned, they got this @ Heretic, BJs/Xion and District. See our preview of the international DJ lineup in this issue. peachpartyatlanta.com
X Summer Gather on the refreshed patio and newly branded hotspot for Sunday Funday
FRIDAY, AUG. 28
food and drinks @ X Mid-
Slow Jamz
town (formerly Ten Atlanta), 4 p.m.
RPDR queen The Vixen
- 12 midnight. facebook.com/XMidtownX
(photo) headlines this drag
MONDAY, AUG. 31
show of R&B classics from
People’s History
the House of Alxndr and their guests @ Zoom, 9:30 p.m. Tickets for event link at
Josh MacPhee and black queer feminist
tayloralxndr.com.
organizer Charlene
Sisters Summertime
Carruthers host you
The backyard and patio are
online for a discussion
open again for women who
of Josh’s People’s
love women in the open air
History: The Poster
@ My Sister’s Room, Fridays
Book of Resistance
and Saturdays 8 p.m. – 3 a.m. Pssst.
via the folks at Charis @ Crowd-
They also sell gallon margs and taco bar kits for delivery or pickup. mysistersroom.com 24 theQatl.com
cast, 7:30 p.m. crowdcast.io
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
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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
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Alco S t. NE
Piedmont Ave. NE
3
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d. N eR
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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
Red FLAGS Declining sex reveals fragile gay male ego
Q
I was at a gathering and ran into a guy I’ve dated a few times. He was feeling his cocktails, and we were both enjoying him being a little frisky in public. He made a few drunk comments about marrying me and getting serious. It was sort of awkward since I was more sober than him, but mostly it was kinda cute. I even expressed my own interest in moving things forward. At the end of the night, he wanted to go home together, and I declined. I’ve had issues in the past with mis-matched levels of alcohol, and his extra servings weren’t doing my attraction any favors. I didn’t say that and just kept it light, figuring he could go have fun and I’d see him another time. After ignoring my texts for days, he went off. I was clearly not interested in him. I sent mixed signals and didn’t “seal the deal.” He is grown and doesn’t have time for games. He had been apparently been fuming since the party. I tried to diffuse and re-express my interest, but he kept snubbing that while circling back to three points — I didn’t go home with him, I wasn’t ready for him, and he was too mature for it. Before this, I really liked him. Should I give him time and try again? Dear Red Flag: Time out! Huddle up. This player showed you who he is. Believe it. His drunkenness is less an issue than his reactions when sober. Getting tipsy and handsy is nothing new, and unless it’s indicative of an ongoing problem, it’s probably fine.
30 theQatl.com
Still, the field is littered with flags on the play: He has you questioning your own experiences and choices. It’s an internal diversion from his own shortcomings. Anyone who continually reiterates how grown up they are, isn’t. His ego took a blow after he made “all the moves” and didn’t get laid. It is perfectly OK to decline sex for any reason or for no reason. It’s not mixed signals to express attraction and decide that sex is not on the table — for one night or forever. Demoting you from marriage material to curb trash in one swoop proves it was never about you. Dating is not a contest to see who is more interested. For someone who doesn’t like games, he played this one and lost. Someone who offers the silent treatment while determining your motivations without your input throws up the final red flag — with “Run!” written on it. Q Advice is intended for entertainment, not professional counseling. Send your Qs to mike@theQatl.com. ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON