March 11, 2021
Get SPRUNG
How to Make Florals Groundbreaking Again
Hotly Anticipated LGBTQ Spring TV Great Poolside Reads Come Right on Time When ‘Don’t Touch’ Meets ‘The Gay Hug’
Instagram.com/theQatl
Spring
FORTH
IT’S OFFICIAL. A whole year after the world went into lockdown. The spring landscape is vastly different for 2021, thank goodness, so this issue of Q ATLus celebrates with all the great gay hope we can muster. LGBTQ Atlanta brings the outside to our backsides in florals. Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking, right? But hear us out. Maybe it’s our internal and eternal optimism, but we are feeling these flowery jackets, shirts and more. We’re also feeling spring in our steps with two special features this week. Check out new LGBTQ book titles in one, plus fresh shows on streaming TV in another. You know what else is perking up? Atlanta’s queer and allied spring events in our calendar. Q Advice also reaches out and slaps you on the butt, literally. Soak it up, because we are busting out all over with a new issue next week, and fresh content every day on Project Q Atlanta at theQatl.com. Write our editor any time at mike@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 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 16
MARCH 11, 2021
NOW PAGING
10 New LGBTQ Books
COVER
18
8
Well Worn A Floral Tribute
11
14
COMMUNITY
SPRING TV
He Walks the Talk in State House
Best Streams in March
Capitol Ideas
10 Q Things............... 8 Q Community.......... 11 Q TV........................ 14 Q Events.................. 23 Q Map...................... 24 Q Advice.................. 29 6 theQatl.com
On Screen
Q ADVICE
Don’t Touch
Avoiding the ‘Gay Hug’
29
Q
10 THINGS
May the Best Man Win
The Witch King
by ZR Ellor (May)
by H.E. Edgmon (May)
The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough (Out Now)
Coming SOON The best LGBTQ books coming for spring 2021
As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper (Out Now)
Red Rock Baby Candy by Shira Spector (Out Now) 8 theQatl.com
Let’s Get Back to the Party by Zak Salih (Out Now)
Perfect On Paper by Sophie Gonzales (March) All titles available wherever books are sold. Special thanks to Q friend, queer and indie bookseller advocate John McDougall.
These Feathered Flames
The Sky Blues
The (Un)Popular Vote
by Alexandra Overy (April)
by Robbie Couch (April)
by Jasper Sanchez (May) theQatl.com 9
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COMMUNITY
Q
In the TRENCHES ‘True Georgia values’ guided LGBTQ aide to Capitol By Mike Fleming KIP DUNLAP CAME BY HIS INTEREST in politics and liberal leanings naturally. The Georgia native credits his parents with the spark that led him eventually to his job as a legislative aide under the Gold Dome. “My parents inherited some very humanistic, liberal values from their parents, and I like to think that generosity of spirit is a Haley, Gender truly “Georgia” Chanel set of values,” DunlapPolicy told Manager at Georgia Equality Project Q. (Photo courtesy Haley)
Dunlap, 33, was social events chair for Atlanta Downtown Neighborhood Association when he first met state Rep. Park Cannon. He booked her as a speaker for the group, they hit it off, and the rest is history. “We instantly had a rapport, and since I was a recent GSU grad looking for work beyond ‘barista,’ she brought me on to her team,” he said. “As of this year’s session, I am officially in this role full time.” Officially, that role is chief aide to Cannon. The Atlanta Democrat is one of seven LGBTQ state lawmakers in Georgia who boasts a particularly queer-inclusive and close-knit team. “We built up a fairly large, very diverse team, and there’s always more to learn about inclusivity,” he said. “Rep. Cannon has taught me a great deal, and our team members are constantly helping me improve.”
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KIP DUNLAP continued improvement in Georgia’s “archaic laws and entrenched discriminatory structures,” Dunlap said. “We’ve proven we have the numbers to do it,” he said. “So we absolutely have to put as much if not more effort into the races for Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, and get a more representative General Assembly.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Above: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock at the Gold Dome with staffers including state Rep. Park Cannon (in black) and her Chief Aide, Kip Dunlap (back right). Inset: Kip Dunlap and state Rep. Park Cannon
BLUE (ISH) GEORGIA
As a gay man, Dunlap appreciates his boss and her team most when the anti-gay going gets tough during the legislative session. “Going to the office” also means going to the Capitol, an environment that can present intense challenges, he said. “We can build an inclusive and supportive team, but we’re still here to do the hard stuff and have difficult conversations,” he said. “There have been tears. Just existing in our diverse bodies inside the Gold Dome is something I’ve learned to be proud of.” Dunlap said progress for LGBTQ equality and recent victories in Georgia encourage him, but Democrats can’t rest on their laurels, he said. “It’s wonderful, but as I think we all know, we’re really not out of the woods,” he said. “Maybe we’re not backsliding in terms of LGBTQ rights and protections anymore, but we need to make progress, and that really needs to happen at the state level.” If anything, success shows that equality advocates have what it takes to make an even bigger difference, he added. There’s plenty of room for 12 theQatl.com
Beyond elections, state government would benefit from more engagement from constituents in general, Dunlap said. If LGBTQ people need motivation to stay interested, listen up. “I wish I had the magic recipe to keep people tuned in all the time,” Dunlap said. “But something I’ve seen prove true: If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” “Our rights are being discussed in these committee meetings,” he added. And make no mistake, there are legislators who would do harm to LGBTQ people, Dunlap asserted. “They don’t all look like us, they don’t understand or sympathize with the things that have happened in our lives,” Dunlap said. “Far too often, some of these people have made explicitly clear that they do not like us and would criminalize our bodies to score political points. It’s infuriating.” So how does Dunlap keep his head up? He leads with his heart, something he learned from Cannon he said. “I have never met anyone who feels their work so deeply,” he said. “Our office has a folder of ‘Good Things’ – uplifting news articles, pictures of puppies, things that we can use to buoy our spirits and keep going.” Meet more LGBTQ legislative aides in our series at theQatl.com.
Q
SPRING TV
Love Alarm
Watch THIS LGBTQ shows soothe the (hopefully) final stretch of pandemic
Moxie
By Mike Fleming AS YOU MAKE PLANS TO EMERGE FROM a year-long lockdown like the super gay spring flower you are, the next few weeks are critical to toe the line of distance and masks — and staying home more. Streaming TV had you all year, and they have you now. Hang in there with some new series and a couple of great new movie releases this month too. 14 theQatl.com
Moxie Netlfix, Streaming now Amy Poehler directs and stars in this series about a teenage girl inspired by her mom’s Riot Grrl past. Cast of characters includes a trans girl and at least one other LGBTQ character.
Love Alarm Netflix, Season 2 drops March 12
The World to Come VOD, March 2
This fun Korean dramedy is about a phone app that alerts people if someone in their vicinity likes them — and as every gay man can predict, the relationship chaos that ensues. Beyond the entanglements, there’s a critical eye toward social media and its impact on mental health. Unusual for Korea in general, it features a tastefully handled boy-on-boy subplot.
In 1850s Schoharie County, New York, farmers’ wives, Abigail and Tallie enjoy a romance while unhappily married to their husbands. It was a big hit at film festivals including Venice and Sundance. Also in cinemas.
Amend
Generation Plus HBO Max, March 11 An inclusive group of teenager explore modern sexuality while testing entrenched beliefs about life, love and the nature of family in their conservative community. The married Dads behind the series wrote it with their 18-year-old bisexual daughter. It’s chock full of LGBTQ characters of every color across a broad spectrum of gender and sexuality.
Amend Netflix, Streaming now Will Smith hosts this limited docuseries through the lens of the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship to Black Americans. The show also devotes an entire episode to marriage equality and the Supreme Court case that led to it in 2015. Both informative and enjoyable.
Generation Plus
Wojnarowicz: F**k You F*ggot F**ker On Demand, March 19 (tentative)
The World to Come
Step into the mind of gay artist-activist David Wojnarowicz in this haunting documentary. The multi-talented New York City painter, photographer, writer, filmmaker, songwriter and performance artist died of AIDS in 1992, but not before making good trouble as an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights and HIV care. Cinematic release also tentative for March 19. theQatl.com 15
Q
COVER
Flower
POWER
How to wear the outside on your backside By Mike Fleming IF THE DAFFODILS POPPING UP everywhere and vaccines rolling out all over aren’t your first clue that it’s , listen up. You are a go for springtime vibes.
Mother Nature, Father Time and the power of renewal team up outside, so it’s time to hit refresh in your look, too. The following pages include fresh ways to remember one thing: Florals for spring may not break new ground, but that’s because they never go out of style.
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FLORAL FASHION continued
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Atlanta Power
BLOSSOMS
PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD
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Q Events
The Best LGBTQ Things to Do in Atlanta This Week THURSDAY, MARCH 11 Drag Jeopardy House of Alxndr hosts a virtual gameshow to “celebrate” a year of lockdown ft queens, kings and every lovely in-between @ Twitch, 8 p.m. twitch. tv/tayloralxndr
SATURDAY, MARCH 13
SUNDAY, MARCH 14
St. Patrick’s Sunday Fun Day Wear green to the rainbow crosswalks, then meet up @ X Midtown, no cover charge before 6 p.m.
Armorettes The camp queens
Purim Off Ponce
collecting tips for
20 inspiring Jewish
people with HIV in
LGBTQ+ Southern
Atlanta continue their
youth honorees plus
four-decade traditions in person @ Heretic, 8 p.m. Streamed @ Facebook Live too. facebook.com/ thearmorettes Drag Patrick’s Day
the annual SOJOURN costume party, this year as a drive-in Rocky Hora Picture Show @ Ahavath Achim, 7 p.m. sojourngsd.org
SUNDAY, MARCH 14
DJs KSquared and Wulf
Tony Moran
team up to beat the la-
There’s only one, and
dies into a green haze,
he slides into home late
including a holiday themed drag show @ My Sister’s Room, 9 p.m. mysistersroom.com
to give circuit queens what they need @ Xion, 3 a.m. facebook.com/xionatlanta
Tom Stephan
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17
Just in from London
St. Patrick’s Fireballs
to give the boys a good
Cheap shots, but in a good way, and on the hol-
time @ Heretic, 10 p.m.
iday that invented day drinking @ Hideaway, all
hereticatlanta.com
day. facebook.com/atlantahideaway theQatl.com 23
on tA ve .N E dm Pi e
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9
11th St. NE
8
10th St. NE
Amsterdam Ave.
Dr. N E
Piedmont Park
14th St. NE
12th St. NE
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West Peachtree St. NE
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75
t. N eS tre
85
ach Pe
Spring St. NW
Q Atlus Map
10 5
Virginia Ave. NE
1 9th St. NE
227 10th St. NE 2. Bulldogs Bar 893 Peachtree St NE 3. Friends on Ponce 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 4. My Sister’s Room 84 12th St 5. X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave. NE 6. Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
24 theQatl.com
Bars
Restaurants North Ave. NW
North Ave. NW
Clubs Retail/Services
Not Shown
Future (opening soon) 50 Lower Alabama St SW, Suite 180
8. Henry’s Midtown Tavern 132 10th St NE
Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave SE
9. Joe’s onRalph Juniper McGill Blvd. NE 1049 Juniper St NE
Sister Louisa’s 466 Edgewood Ave SE
10. Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina 187 10th St NE Highland Ave. NE 11. Barking Leather After Dark 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE (inside Eagle) 12. Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
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
3
Key
Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
7. Flex 76 4th St NW
Ponce De Leon Pl. NE
r. NE roe D Mon
Charles Allen Dr. NE
11 6
St. Charles Ave.
Glen Iris Dr. NE
1. Blakes on the Park
NE
NE
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Ave.
Spring St. NW
7
2 Juniper St. NE
85
Peachtree St.
75
West Peachtree St. NE
8th St. NE
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Alco S t. NE
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NE
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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
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6
Ansley Park 2. The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE
E
4
r. N
7
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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
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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 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 Roxx Tavern 1824 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
26 theQatl.com
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
Q Advice Hating the
‘GAY HUG’
To answer your question, yes it’s a thing. To answer another, you get to decide what’s OK for you, and work with your boyfriend on what works for you as a couple.
Q
If you’re insecure about him possibly cheating, return to your own first sentence: He is “a fantastic guy.”
The lines seem blurry as to what is appropriate in gay male interaction. I mean, should I be OK with someone coming up to my guy, slapping his ass and kissing him on the lips?
Q
I’ve been with a fantastic guy for several months. I’m the gay guy with a herd of female friends. He’s the one who knows every gay man.
Dear That’s My Man: Gay rules of engagement vary from group to group, situation to situation, and queer to queer. Touchaverse Southerners learned long ago to tolerate the “gay hug,” for example. But some still cringe when a sister-friend leans in for a lip smack. Still others could snap when someone playing grab-ass without consent.
Either he is and you can talk to him about all this and grow closer, or he isn’t and you don’t trust him. The answer lies in communication. I’m pretty sure my husband is cheating on me with his best friend. Their inside jokes don’t include me, their movie nights look like nesting, and I can tell they’re rolling their eyes behind my back. They were best friends for years before my husband I met, and more and more often they have me feeling like I am the third wheel. They don’t even try to hide touching each other, or things like kissing each other hello and goodbye. Should I be worried? Dear Paranoid: Since they are best friends of many years, it sounds like they would have had plenty of chances to hook up long before you came into the picture, and they chose not to. What’s more, none of the things on your list of “evidence” spells cheating. Inside jokes are just that — inside — so necessarily exclusionary. Any two people hanging out on a couch will look intimate. And try as you might, you can’t see eyes rolling behind your back. Love it or hate it, some queers hug and peck each other as greetings. If you’re still worried, ask directly. Either you learn it’s true (doubtful), or you give your husband a chance to respond and put your worries at ease. The Q is for entertainment, not counseling. Send burning Qs to mike@theQatl.com. ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON
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