April 8, 2021
Comeback
KIDS
LGBTQ ATL Sports Make A Return Play Very Gay Game of ‘Would You Rather’ Tipsy Queen Or Party Monster? Cash Injection Fuels Atlanta’s HIV Fight
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Got MOVES
CREATING MOMENTUM from scratch is nothing new for LGBTQ Atlantans, but there is something extra inspiring about it this year. Amid a challenging time of mixed signals and split decisions, this issue finds people in every corner of the community making motions and moving mountains. That includes you, tweaking your thinking to advance from fear to courage in 10 Q Things. It also includes money moves against HIV in Q News. And as you probably gathered from our cover, it includes athletes in motion in seven sports groups shifting toward normalcy in LGBTQ-ATL. From there, move into our weekly features. Stir your senses in Q Events, budge your assumptions in Q Advice, and step through town with the help of the Q Map. After you’re done here, flow with that inertia to our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and theQatl.com for more to move you every day. Slide into my inbox 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 20
APRIL 8, 2021
FEAR VS. COURAGE
Change Restrictive Thinking
COVER
14
8
Sporty Spice
LGBTQ Summer Leagues
11
23
NEWS
EVENTS
Gold Dome Closes On Sour Note
Mark Your Calendar
Stand with Park
10 Q Things.................... 8 Q News......................... 11 Q Cover......................... 14 Q Events....................... 23 Q Map........................... 24 Q Advice....................... 29 6 theQatl.com
DILFs & Drag Q ADVICE
Reading Signs
Pretty Sure Friend’s on Drugs
29
Q
10 THINGS
Loving and losing or not loving at all?
Failing or not trying?
WOULD YOU
Rather…?
In the LGBTQ battle of courage vs. fear, err on the side of action
By Mike Fleming
Acting on your convictions, or on your reputation?
The benefit of a doubt or skepticism? 8 theQatl.com
Too much faith or too much fear?
Speaking up and being rejected or remaining silent?
Crossing the line or staring or the line for your whole life?
Deciding wrongly or never deciding?
Hating what you see, or having nothing to see?
Doing or wondering? theQatl.com 9
10 theQatl.com
NEWS
Funding the
FIGHT
Metro Atlanta counties awarded $3.3 million to battle HIV By Patrick Saunders
AN AGENCY WORKING TO END HIV IN four metro Atlanta counties received a $3.3 million award from federal health officials — a 40 percent jump over last year’s funding.
Q
spond to service needs,” she told Fulton County Government Television. The Ryan White Program is crucial to ending HIV in the U.S., according to HRSA Acting Administrator Diana Espinosa. “Today’s investment builds on the more than $2 billion in grants awarded through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program in fiscal year 2020, which helps to continue the program’s incredible track record of viral suppression that saves lives, reduces health disparities and slows the spread of the virus,” Espinosa said in a press release. About half of the $2 million awarded last year remains unspent. Cheek told Project Q that the department didn’t have enough community input to decide how to spend the funds.
The Health Resources & Service Administration awarded the funds to Fulton County Department for HIV Elimination in March. The county agency will soon ask for the public’s help in deciding how to spend the funds. The $3.3 million was part of $99 million distributed to 61 recipients in a federal initiative to end HIV in the U.S. Atlanta received the third-largest award behind New York City and Los Angeles. Jeff Cheek, director of the department, manages Atlanta’s Ryan White Program, a federally funded program providing care for low-income, uninsured and underinsured people living with HIV. The department serves Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb and Gwinnett, which are the four metro Atlanta counties among the 48 counties in the U.S. targeted in the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative. The goal of the initiative is a 75 percent reduction in new HIV cases by 2025 and a 90 percent reduction by 2030, according to Tiffany Lawrence, manager of Fulton’s EHE program. “These new funds are going to be used to design disruptive innovation projects to go into our care system to change the way that we re-
Jeff Cheek
The agency has until March 2022 to spend the remaining $1 million from last year, and it cannot be carried over again, according to Cheek. They must also spend the new $3.3 million by then, but any unspent funds can carry over an additional year. “So we have the dollars and we can go now,” Cheek said. “It’s just understanding how people want us to use the dollars that’s key.” The Fulton Department for HIV Elimination hosts virtual public engagement sessions this month to narrow down programs to fund with the award. Read more on this story at theQatl.com. theQatl.com 11
Q
IN BRIEF
LGBTQ lawmaker arrested, dragged from State Capitol
GEORGIA STATE TROOPERS ARRESTED and forcibly removed state Rep. Park Cannon from the Gold Dome on as she interrupted Gov. Brian Kemp during the signing of a massive elections bill that critics derided as an effort to disenfranchise voters.
Cannon faces two felony charges — willful obstruction of law enforcement officers by use of threats or violence and preventing or disrupting General Assembly sessions or other meetings of members — third offense. Troopers transported Cannon to the Fulton County Jail after she was arrested. A crowd of supporters chanted “Free Park Cannon” outside the jail, and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock visited Cannon before she was released on a signature bond. A March 27 rally outside Atlanta City Hall called for justice.
LGBTQ activist, Zandra Conway dies at 63 FRIENDS AND ALLIES ACROSS THE country are remembering Zandra Conway as a passionate LGBTQ activist who brought together multiple diverse communities. She died in March at the age of 63. Conway was intentional about connecting people, according to fellow activist Darlene Hudson.
Zandra Conway (via Facebook)
“Zandra had the unique capacity to work in different facets of the overall LGBTQ community,” Hudson told Project Q Atlanta. “Zandra understood the intersection of all of it and from there she tried to build.”
Conway was a member of the Atlanta Black LGBT Coalition and also served on the boards of National Black Justice Coalition and In the Life Atlanta, which organizes Black Gay Pride. She made her mark in political circles, too. She was LGBTQ liaison for former Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell and campaigned for former Mayor Kasim Reed. 12 theQatl.com
State troopers arrested Rep. Park Cannon inside the State Capitol on March 25. (Images courtesy video from Hannah Joy Gebresilassie)
Cannon’s arrest overshadowed a victory lap by Kemp and Republicans who engineered the elections legislation.
Jody Hice brings anti-LGBTQ baggage to Georgia SOS race U.S. REP. JODY HICE — A REPUBLICAN who spent years trolling LGBTQ people from the halls of Congress — is coming home for an intraparty fight to try and oust Georgia’s current secretary of state. Hice wants to replace Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in the 2022 primary. Jumping into the race comes after Hice cruised to a fourth term in the 10th District in November, celebrating by trying to undermine Georgia’s election. He continued trumpeting unproven allegations of fraud in his campaign announcement on March 22. “Our state deserves a leader who steers clear of scandals and focuses on the incredibly important duties of the office,” he added. But Hice built a track record of steering toward anti-LGBTQ sensationalism. In the past, he railed against marriage equality and ranted about a secret plot by gays to recruit and sodomize children. This year, he attacked the Equality Act as “outrageous” and “horrifying.” He faces two candidates for Secretary of State in the GOP primary — Raffensperger and former Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle.
NEWS
Q
Q
COVER
NFFLA Flag Football Mini Camp April 10 One Atlanta Draft April 17 Preseason April 24 Games Saturdays May 1 – July 31 nffla.com
Triumphant RE LGBTQ ATL sports make comeback plays By Mike Fleming LIKE THE ATHLETES THEMSELVES AND the rest of us, Atlanta’s LGBTQ leagues, fan groups and teams are ready for a post-COVID spring and summer. Some are tentative about returning to the fields of play, and others are diving in with precautions. We got the lowdown on seven of our favorites, whether its practice only, practice for now, masked and distanced or with sterilization stations, all of them have a little something going. Whether as an athlete or a fan, check out the options on the following pages. 14 theQatl.com
TURN
“The NFFLA is excited to open our doors to our community and start a new season as safely as possible. We welcome all skill levels, all genders, and all allies interested in building friendships through sport and fellowship. Masks on, cleats on, game on!” — Justin Spears, NFFLA theQatl.com 15
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SPORTS continued Hotlanta Softball League Sundays April 11 – June 27 hotlantasoftball.org
“This year marks the 40th Anniversary year for Hotlanta Softball League. While it’s going to look a little different being in a national pandemic, we are still one of the top leagues in the country based on team participation.” — Kyle Miller, Hotlanta Softball League
18 theQatl.com
“We welcome all running abilities and levels. In that spirit, we are doing a couch to 5K beginning in May and ending with the Pride Run June 19 for anyone wanting to run their first 5K.” — Thomas Barker, Front Runners Atlanta
Front Runners Atlanta Weekly runs Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. Pride Run set for June 19 frontrunnersatlanta.org theQatl.com 19
SPORTS continued
AIDS Vaccine Ride COVID-Safe ‘Ride Your Own’ Benifitting Emory Vaccine Center Ride and donate through May 31 actionacyclingatl.org
20 theQatl.com
Hotlanta Volleyball Association Still considering when to return FB Page & FB Members Group facebook.com/HotlantaVolleyball
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SPORTS continued
Hotlanta Soccer Practicing Weekly, No Matches Yet Saturdays @ Central Park, 10 a.m. facebook.com/groups/34244209984
All Stripes (LGBTQ Atlanta United Fan Group) Outdoor Watch Party @ CODA, April 17 Ltd. Attendance Home Opener Tailgate, April 24 facebook.com/groups/ allstripesatl Find more on spring and summer sports plans, including comments from the organization leaders, at theQatl.com. 22 theQatl.com
Q Events
The Best LGBTQ Things to Do in Atlanta This Week THURSDAY, APRIL 8 Gender Queer
A virtual event with
author and illustrator Maia Kobabe about
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, APRIL 9-10 Never Turning Back The future is coming, and you know what you can’t do? Go backward. A performance of inspirational songs by Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and their sisters Atlanta Women’s Chorus. Streaming live @ Afton Tickets, 8 p.m. both nights. voicesofnote.org
their new graphic
memoir. Charis hosts
@ Crowdcast, 5:30 p.m. charisbooksandmore.com X After Dark
Tristan Panucci Dupree, Aspen York and Raquel
SATURDAY, APRIL 10
Rae Heart want you to stay out late on a school
Armorettes
xmidtownx
you love it. Get you
night @ X Midtown, 12 midnight. facebook.com/
They are crazy, and
FRIDAY, APRIL 9
some and give back to PWAs @ Heretic, 8 p.m. hereticatlanta.com
SUNDAY, APRIL 11 Super Gay Sunday Turn out the lights, get down way low. It’s Sunday nights with Tim and Victor. Come groove with homosexual music and drink specials @ Hideaway, 8 p.m. Go early for The Return of DILF
Sundays with Mother while
After the Ronayear off, DJ Max Bruce comes
the sun’s out. facebook.com/
in from L.A. for a code party @ Heretic, 10 p.m. hereticatlanta.com F**k It Friday
Drop in on a full day and night of specials.
Andrew opens, then JayR and Eric bring it home with a different guest VJ every week. Anything goes @ Hideaway, 2 p.m. – 3 a.m. facebook.com/ atlantahideaway
atlantahideaway Drag Brunch The Sisters of Sequins perform with Bubba D. Licious at the wheel while you eat @ Lips, 12:30 p.m. lipsatl.com Find an expanded calendar of weekend events every Thursday at theQatl.com. theQatl.com 23
on tA ve .N E dm Pi e
4
9
11th St. NE
8
10th St. NE
Amsterdam Ave.
Dr. N E
Piedmont Park
14th St. NE
12th St. NE
12
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West Peachtree St. NE
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75
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85
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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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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
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5
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4. Oscar’s 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
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r. NE
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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
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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
Party
MONSTER
My friend’s drug use moved past indulgence and into excess
Q
I think my friend is abusing drugs. Before I even get started, I’m going to come right out and say that I dabble recreationally, so I’m not judging substance use per se. At first, I thought he was just being weird or going through something that made him act differently. Several months ago, he started going manic on occasion, accusing good friends of talking behind his back. Now he’s losing weight, his eyes are sunken, his skin is yellow, and his accusations are full-on paranoia about everyone being out to get him. He grinds his teeth obviously and constantly. I know all of these can be signs of prolonged meth use. Maybe it’s some unknown emotional drama or trauma, but I don’t know what it would be. I care about this friend. How do I confront him? Dear Worried: Your concern is probably more common than many of us like to talk about. Queers and meth are a well-documented duo. While we each choose whether to indulge in chemical escapism and risk the consequences as individuals, that doesn’t mean you can’t see the signs. In fact, you could be more qualified to tell if someone else is indulging. That said, be careful. What if the signs you’re seeing mean that your friend’s health is at risk from an undiagnosed disease? What if he really is going
through something that is stressing him out so he lets his self-care and appearance go? How to find out? Ask. Approach, rather than “confront,” your friend. You can’t intervene about drugs without any facts. If you do, you could cause damage with the assumption before you have a chance to help. Ask if there’s anything he wants to talk about. Show him the signs you mention. Tell him you are concerned. If he avoids the conversation, tell him you’re there for him. This opens the door for him to come to you, and for you to circle back and broach it again. It may take more than one conversation. If he’s not ready to confide in you, remember there’s a fine line between supportive and pushy, and it’s hard to navigate. Use your best instincts. Of course, the symptoms you name absolutely can be signs of and addiction and abuse, so be ready for that to be the issue. If your friend confides that this is his situation, or if you find direct evidence, encourage professional help. You can support him, but you’re not qualified to fix it. The Q is for entertainment, not counseling. Send burning Qs to mike@theQatl.com. ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON
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